Sultan Muhammad V arrives for installation ceremony

Sultan Muhammad V taking the royal salute from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment at Istana Negara

KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan Muhammad V has arrived at Istana Negara for the installation ceremony as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The breezy morning was a welcome addition to the ceremony, which began as soon as the Kelantan Sultan arrived at 10am and was escorted to the royal dais by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

His Majesty took the royal salute from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Major Mohd Ridhuan Abd Bashir.

The royal salute symbolises the loyalty of the Malaysian Armed Forces to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the supreme commander of the Armed Forces.

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.

His Majesty then inspected a guard-of-honour comprising four officers and 103 men of the First Batallion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Attired in his royal dress known as Muscat, His Majesty 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 Majesty''s installation as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Balairung Seri, Istana Negara.