Installation ceremony for 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong begins

KUALA LUMPUR: Today, the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, will be officially installed as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in Malay royal customs and tradition at Istana Negara here.
The ceremony which will be broadcast live by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) from 9.30am will enable all Malaysians to witness the auspicious installation of the Head of State of the country, who will hold the reins for a period of five years (since being proclaimed as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 13 last year).
Sultan Muhammad V, 47, was chosen as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the 243th (Special Meeting) of the Conference of Rulers held last October, which also announced the selection of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
On Dec 13, Sultan Muhammad V took the oath of office and signed the instruments of office as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara.
Sultan Muhammad V ascended the throne of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, succeeding Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu 'adzam Shah who completed his reign as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on Dec 12, last year.
The ceremony commenced with a full military parade at the Istana Negara square involving the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) symbolising the Malaysian Armed Forces' loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces.
The ceremony proper began with the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negara, before he was escorted to the royal dais by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak and wife Datin Seri Raya Erom.
Upon his arrival at the royal dais, His Highness was given a royal salute by 108 members of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. At the same time the national anthem Negaraku was played by the main band of the Royal Malay Regiment and the colours of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong were hoisted.
The Agong then inspected a guard-of-honour comprising four officers and 103 men of the 1st Batallion Royal Malay Regiment who were led by Major Mohd Ridwan Mohd Basheer.
Attired in his royal dress known as Muscat, His Highness was then given a royal honour guard standing in salute and the playing of the Negaraku.
Sultan Muhammad V was then escorted by the dignitaries, leaving the royal dais to Dewan Seri Maharaja to continue with His Highness's installation as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Balairung Seri, Istana Negara. — Bernama