Installation steeped in tradition

KUALA LUMPUR: The installation of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong began with a royal salute steeped in military and royal Malay tradition at the main square of Istana Negara.

The ceremony, involving members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, symbolises the pledge of loyalty of the national defence forces to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Sultan Abdullah and his consort Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah’s arrival at the Anjung Tamu of the palace were received by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

At the royal dais outside the entrance to the Throne Room (Balairong Seri), the King was accorded the royal salute by the guard of honour mounted by members of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

The national anthem was played and the royal standard of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was hoisted.

Sultan Abdullah then inspected the guard of honour comprising four officers and 103 members of various ranks. The King was then accorded the second royal salute and the national anthem was played.

Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah then proceeded to the Throne Room, where His Majesty took the Oath of Installation to mark the start of his five-year reign.

Escorted by Grand Chamberlain (Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela) Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, the royal couple’s arrival was heralded by the blowing of the nafiri (trumpet) played by Malaysian Armed Forces personnel together with percussion by the Terengganu Royal Nobat Ensemble.

Sultan Abdullah, attired in the official Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s gold embroidered black muskat, and Tunku Azizah, dressed in a beautiful ivory white attire and matching scarf, then proceeded to the royal dais.

The Grand Chamberlain then requested for the King’s consent to begin the ceremony.

A copy of the Quran was presented to Sultan Abdullah as a 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 was entrusted with the Keris Panjang Diraja (Long Royal Keris), which symbolises his willingness to assume the role as head of state, followed by other royal regalia.

Dr Mahathir 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 led the hall in proclaiming Daulat Tuanku (Long Live the King) three times, with other guests following suit.

Moments later, the national anthem was once again played with the 21-gun salute heard in the background.

After that, Dr Mahathir, representing the government and the people, read a letter of congratulations and pledge of loyalty to the King, after which His Majesty delivered the royal address.

The palace’s religious officer then recited the prayer (doa selamat) before the ceremony culminated with the Grand Chamberlain collecting the Quran from the throne, followed by the royal couple being escorted out of the Throne Room.

Sultan Abdullah was elected as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers on Jan 24. His Majesty was sworn in and signed his oath of office as Malaysia’s new King on Jan 31 after Sultan Muhammad V stepped down on Jan 6.