Malaysia’s King Muhammad V has resigned.
Sultan-Muhammad-V-abdicated-throne
Malaysia’s monarchy was in a state of flux today after its king, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, resigned as the 15th Agong, or Supreme Ruler of the federation, at the weekend in a historically unprecedented move.
The Sultan ruled for slightly more than two years, since December 2013.
Malaysia’s kings are usually selected on a rotational basis from amongst the country’s nine monarchical heads for a stipulated five-year term.
The king’s role is largely ceremonial, as most of the authority to govern is held by the prime minister and cabinet.
The next king in line is the Sultan of Pahang, but the 88-year-old’s ailing health has raised questions of who should rightly succeed.
The council of nine sultans met at the National Palace to determine who the next king will be.
Rumours had been swirling that the king might step down after a rare meeting was convened amongst the country’s nine state rulers recently.
Sultan Muhammad had been on a two-month leave of absence since November, during which time reports and images surfaced that he had wedded former Russian beauty queen Oksana Voevodina in Moscow.
The palace has neither confirmed nor denied these reports, however the wedding sparked concerns that a foreigner might be inaugurated as Queen.
During the king’s absence, the Sultan of Perak Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah was ruling as Deputy King.
As recently as Friday, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed denied rumours of an abdication, saying he did not receive letters or any official indication about the possible abdication.
