PM: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong personifies the nation

KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the “personification of the nation” whose powers are clearly spelt out, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said that Malaysia practised a constitutional monarchy that defines the powers and privileges of the Malay Rulers as provided under the Federal Constitution.

“Truly, the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is unique to Malaysia, because it is not the practice in other countries that have a monarchy.

“It is not through a voting system by the people and it is also not hereditary.

“The institution is none other than a continuity of the tradition of the royal Malay Rulers since time immemorial,” he said when delivering his congratulatory speech and pledge of loyalty following the installation of Sultan Muhammad V as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Istana Negara yesterday.

Najib said the system of constitutional monarchy practised in Malaysia was also very orderly, according to principles specified in the spirit that Ruler and People cannot be separated.

“In other words, when outsiders ask about the intricacies of our culture, what is Malaysia, the answer is, His Majesty mirrors and signifies the manifestation of Adicinta or the ideology of the Rukunegara,” he said.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the custodian of Islam, defender of the rights of the Malays and of all citizens,” he said.

Najib also noted that the rakyat, particularly the younger generation, was pleased to have Sultan Muhammad V as their King.

“This is apt for the nation’s population where the majority are youths who need a boost from a young, energetic King who is full of zest,” he added.

The Prime Minister also touched on efforts to transform Malaysia into a high income developed nation through several strategies such as the National Transformation 2050 (TN50).