Rulers to elect new Agong on Jan 24

TheEdge Tue, Jan 08, 2019 10:24am - 5 years View Original


KUALA LUMPUR: The Conference of Rulers will meet on Jan 24 to elect the new king and his deputy, after Sultan Muhammad V stepped down as the 15th Agong.

The oath-taking ceremony for the 16th king and his deputy will be held on Jan 31, the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said in a media statement yesterday.

Syed Danial said the rulers of Terengganu, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Perak and Kedah convened a special meeting at 10.30am yesterday to discuss the new king and his deputy’s appointment.

The Sultan of Pahang, who was unwell, and the Sultan of Selangor who was overseas, were absent from the meeting, according to Syed Danial.

Syed Danial said the Malay rulers respected Sultan Muhammad V’s wish to resign as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, effective Sunday.

“The rulers have also expressed their highest appreciation to Sultan Muhammad V for discharging the duties and responsibilities as Agong from Dec 13, 2016 until Jan 6, 2019.”

It was reported that Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah had been appointed the acting Agong for the interim period.

In Kuala Terengganu, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government hopes the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong would be elected soonest possible, Bernama reported.

Dr Mahathir said electing the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong must be expedited because he had to have an audience with the latter on certain matters.

“The government accepts [the Sultan of Kelantan] Sultan Muhammad V’s decision to step down. It is in accordance with the constitution,” he told reporters after opening the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) Terengganu office here.

On Sultan Muhammad V’s successor, Dr Mahathir said he would in no way interfere in the matter and that the final decision lies with the Conference of Rulers.

“We (the government) will not interfere in this matter. The next Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be determined by the Conference of Rulers. I do not know how it is done and according to their (Malay rulers) tradition, they have their own arrangements,” he said.

In Kuching, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun warned the public not to engage in speculation about Sultan Muhammad V’s resignation.

“The police have received reports of several provocative statements made on social media platforms, and we have also opened investigation papers (IPs) and are taking action in accordance with the law.

“We will submit the IPs as soon as possible to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action,” he told a media conference.

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