KUALA LUMPUR: Traditional drums and music were instrumental in marking the key proceedings of the installation of Sultan Muhammad V as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The Gendang Besar Diraja Kelantan, a traditional music ensemble formed by the new King’s grandfather – were flown in to Istana Negara to play a total of four tunes to signal each instrumental process of the deeply traditional ceremony.
The ceremony started at about 10am, when His Majesty’s arrival was heralded by blowing of the nafiri (trumpets) by the band, which played the tune Raja Berangkat.
The King was attired in the official Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s black wool and gold embroidered Muscat, tengkolok (headgear) and embroidered long pants, while an ivory and gold Keris Pendek Diraja was pinned at his waist.
At the royal dais outside the entrance to the Throne Room, Sultan Muhammad V took the royal salute from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Major Mohd Ridwan Mohd Basheer, before inspecting the guard-of-honour.
Five minutes later, the ceremony continued inside the Throne Room, where His Majesty took the Oath of Installation to mark the formal commencement of his five-year reign.
Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela (the Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara) Major Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mamat Ariffin Abdullah announced the new King’s arrival, before seeking permission to begin the ceremony.
He then presented Sultan Muhammad V with a copy of the Quran as a symbolic gesture depicting the role of the King as head of the Islamic religion of the Federation and states that do not have a Ruler.
His Majesty also received the Keris Panjang Diraja, which symbolises his willingness to assume the role as head of state, followed by other royal regalia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak then proclaimed the enthronement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after which His Majesty took his oath of installation.
The nafiri was again sounded to the beating of the drums just before the Grand Chamberlain shouted Daulat Tuanku (Long Live the King) three times, with other guests following suit.
Moments later, a 21-gun salute was heard in the background as the national anthem was once again played.
Afterwards, Najib read a letter of declaration of loyalty and thanks to the King, after which His Majesty delivered his Royal Address.
Some 800 guests witnessed the one-and-a-half hour long colourful ceremony, with the King leaving the Throne Room at 11.30am.
Present during the ceremony were the Sultans of Perak, Terengganu and Selangor, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Raja Perlis, the regent of Kelantan Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra, and the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Johor, Kedah and Brunei were represented by their respective Crown Princes, while the states of Malacca, Sabah, Sarawak and Penang were represented by their governors.
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