Malaysia's King Steps Down
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Malaysia's twelfth king, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, has stepped down from his post after a five-year reign to make way for the next monarch in a send-off steeped in colour and tradition.
The 63-year-old and queen Tuanku Fauziah were given a 21-gun salute at the nation's parliament after inspecting a guard of honour and meeting foreign envoys and ministers.
The visibly emotional couple had earlier bade farewell to their staff at their palace in Kuala Lumpur.
Hundreds of Malaysians lined the streets to wave goodbye to the king, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to the airport for a journey to his northern home state of Perlis.
The royal couple was greeted at Kuala Lumpur International Airport with a scene harking back to centuries-old traditions.
Some 500 dancers from Malaysia's states lined the road to the airport, accompanied by 50 drummers, 50 young women bearing flower arrangements and a group of performers of the Malay martial art of silat.
A six-year-old elephant called Amoi headed the procession decked in red and gold -- the colour of royalty -- in a reminder of the mode of transport favoured by sultans in bygone days.
The royal couple was feted with cries of "Long live the king!" before boarding a plane on their journey to Perlis, where thousands of Malaysians and cultural performers will greet them.
"This is symbolic of the old era. Whenever a sultan or a head of state travels, he is often preceded by a colourful parade," said Sara Roslan, a dancer from eastern Sabah state dressed in a red and black traditional costume.
Dancers also bore golden umbrellas and curved knives called keris, symbolising protection of the king from weather and danger.
Malaysians also called in sometimes tearful tributes to national television, which broadcast the king's farewell ceremony.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, who has a son and daughter, was proclaimed Malaysia's 12th king in April, 2002.
The country on Wednesday is due to see the proclamation of its 13th king, the sultan of Terengganu state, Mizan Zainal Abidin, who at 44, will be one of the nation's youngest monarchs ever.
Constitutionally, the position of king is rotated every five years among the traditional Malay rulers of nine states. The monarch has largely ceremonial duties and acts on the advice of the cabinet.
However, he commands the respect of Malaysians, especially the country's majority ethnic Malays, who maintain a loyalty to rulers that can be traced back to Malay sultanates centuries ago.
The king or agong, as he is known, is also the majority-Muslim country's symbolic head of Islam and the nominal chief of the military.
"The agong was a people's king. He was not a controversial figure but he carried out his duties well," said one onlooker at the airport.
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Singapore leaders have congratulated the new Malaysian King, Mizan Zainal Abidin, who was sworn in for a five-year term on Wednesday.
In their congratulatory messages, President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong voice their confidence that the close bonds of friendship between Singapore and Malaysia will grow from strength to strength under the new King's reign.
In his letter, President Nathan says Singapore and Malaysia share a long tradition of strong economic, social and cultural engagement.
He adds that Singapore welcomes the further development of warm relations during the new King's term of office.
And in his letter, Prime Minister Lee says he is confident Malaysia will continue to make good progress in its development efforts.
Mr Lee also stresses that Singapore is fully supportive of Malaysia's growth and prosperity and sees it as an important pillar for the overall peace and stability of the region.
Prime Minister Lee says he looks forward to broadening and deepening the close and extensive links between Singapore and Malaysia during the new King's term of office.
The new King, who is from the state of Trengganu, is the 13th Malaysian King.
He was chosen under a unique system that allows traditional state rulers in Malaysia to take turns in ruling the country.
The 44-year-old King's 8-year-old son, Muhammad Ismail, has been appointed Regent of Trengganu while his father is away from the state over the next five years. -
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Malaysia swore in a new king, its second-youngest ever, on Wednesday amid some controversy over the amount of money spent on the country's little-known royals.
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, 44, wore canary-yellow robes and jewel-encrusted headgear for the glittering ceremony at the national palace, which is to be replaced in a few years at a cost to taxpayers of 400 million ringgit ($113 million).
Malaysia has nine sultans and each takes turn to rule for five years as king, signing legislation into law and appointing judges but always on the premier's advice.
A symbolic role, the king embodies Malaysia's heritage as a collection of Muslim kingdoms and also serves as titular head of the armed forces and keeper of the official religion, Islam.
But since the government announced plans last month for a new palace, despite painful budget cut-backs, the opposition has raised some awkward questions about the royal upkeep.
The new palace is to be built atop a hill on 240 acres (97 hectares) and is expected to be finished in 2009.
"The question we have in mind now is whether we really need a new palace at a time when our economy is so sluggish," said Ronnie Liu, a leader of the opposition Democratic Action Party.
"To us, the old palace is still in good condition and sufficient for its functions and purposes."
Sultan Mizan, from the oil-endowed northeastern state of Terengganu, held his palms open in prayer during the ceremony, watched by fellow royals and government officials.
A far less colourful figure than some of his predecessors as king or his fellow sultans, the new monarch attended Britain's Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and served as a land administrator before succeeding to the throne of Terengganu.
The royal family of southern Johor state has captured the most headlines over the years. Mahmood Iskandar, now the sultan of Johor and a former king, was once convicted of manslaughter but pardoned by his father who was then the sultan.
One of the new king's cousins described Sultan Mizan as a quiet family man.
"He's humble and down to earth," he said, adding: "He loves horses. He competes internationally in horse endurance events."
Mizan will be Malaysia's 13th king, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, since the country gained independence from Britain in 1957. He replaced Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, ruler of Perlis state. -
like anyone here cares?
they're all parasites anyway.. and their parasitic ways were shown by Dr.M in the past..
it made for hilarious reading how much the royalty there leeched billions off the states, shamelessly accumulating crap like fast cars which they were not entitled to, and one member of the royalty murdered his caddy too! -
lol.
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so call "jiak liao bee"?