Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy

Sultan Muhammad V (right) with the other Rulers (from left) Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Pahang’s Sultan Ahmad Shah, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at Istana Negara on Oct 14 last year for the meeting of the Conference of Rulers. — Bernama

THE constitutional monarchy in Malaysia, along with her parliamentary system, is a vestige of the country’s British colonial past.

Unlike in the United Kingdom, where Queen Elizabeth II has reigned as monarch for over 65 years, Malaysia’s Yang di-Pertuan Agong however changes every five years.