Malaysia enthrones new king in lavish ceremony
Updated: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:00:59 GMT | By Agence France-Presse
Malaysia’s new king called for equality for all in the multi-ethnic Asian nation as he was enthroned Wednesday in a lavish ceremony steeped in centuries-old royal traditions.
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, 84, who was king previously in the 1970s, became the first person to hold the position twice under Malaysia’s unique rotating monarchy.
The Oxford-educated king is a lover of jazz, football, polo and golf.
The king, known as Yang di-Pertuan Agong or “He Who Is Made Lord”, formally took office in a televised ceremony in the yellow carpet throne room of the new hilltop palace in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
Prime Minister Najib Razak proclaimed Sultan Abdul Halim the 14th king, before an audience of other Malaysian sultans, government ministers and foreign dignitaries.
The monarch, dressed in black and yellow royal regalia, made of wool and embroidered with gold threads, was presented with a Koran and then with the royal long dagger — a symbol of power and authority — which the king drew and kissed.
He then took an oath of office to rule Malaysia in a fair manner, uphold the Islamic faith and ensure a just government.
In his speech, Sultan Abdul Halim praised Najib’s leadership and reminded the government to ensure prosperity for all Malaysians.
“All Malaysians have equal rights ….It is my wish to see all Malaysians gain from the country’s development,” he said.
Despite his merely ceremonial role, Malaysia’s king commands great respect from the public, especially majority Malays. The country’s sultans trace a lineage back to Malay sultanates of the 15th century.
Portraits of the king and queen adorn government buildings throughout the country. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.
Abdul Majid Puteh, 85, who knew the king when he was 12 years old while they were studying together, described him as a “friendly” person, adding that he once saw the king washing his own clothes.
The country has had an elected monarchy since independence from Britain in 1957. In a unique arrangement, the throne rotates every five years among the rulers of the nine Malaysian states still headed by royalty.
Sultan Abdul Halim is the ruler of Kedah state in the north.
The sultan is a lover of jazz, particularly Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
He succeeded Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, 49, who was one of Malaysia’s youngest kings
Source: http://news.malaysia.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6112982
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Dear Rinpoche,
Malaysia appointed a new King under rotating system of monarchy recently. I hope that this new King will be able to restore peace and stabilise the economy, which is very much needed at this moment. Having said that, I also pray that Rinpoche’s incarnation will be reunited with us soon.
Being in a country that gives religious freedom is really part of the 8 freedoms of our precious human rebirth. The people of this land Malaysia really respect all kinds of people and religions. Truly blessed to be in this country.