April 24 declared public holiday to celebrate King's installation

PETALING JAYA: April 24 has been declared a public holiday to celebrate the installation of Sultan Muhammad V (pic) as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The installation ceremony will be held at the Balairung Seri of Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur in the morning on April 24, followed by a royal dinner at the Dewan Santapan of the palace.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said in a statement Monday that the public holiday was declared under the Public Holidays Act 1951 for Peninsula Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

For Sabah and Sarawak, the respective state governments have been told to ratify the holiday using their state laws.

Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan was elected the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers last October to succeed Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.