Daulat Tuanku
The Sultan of Kelantan ascended the throne as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
MALAYSIANS welcomed their 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan on Dec 13, one day after they bade farewell to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah, the 14th King.
It was a joyous day, especially for Kelantanese. After 37 years, it was their turn again – Sultan Muhammad V ascended the throne for a five-year reign as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Thousands of people from all walks of life gathered outside Istana Negeri in Kubang Kerian to cheer Sultan Muhammad V, 47, who was dressed in the official Ruler’s attire called the muskat.
The Sultan travelled in a royal motorcade along a 14km route to the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport for his special flight to the nation’s capital. There were special traditional performances at 11 points along the route.
His Royal Highness was greeted at KL International Airport’s Bunga Raya Complex upon his arrival and taken to Parliament Square for a ceremonial royal welcome which included a 21-gun salute as the royal flag was raised.
A solemn ceremony was later held at Istana Negara’s Balairong Seri (throne room) where Sultan Muhammad V took the oath and signed the instrument of proclamation, marking his accession as the new King.
All the rulers, heads of states, senior Government officials and diplomats witnessed this historic moment, ushering in the reign of the young and dynamic Sultan Muhammad V as Malaysia’s 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
On Dec 12, Tuanku Abdul Halim, 88, and then Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah were accorded a ceremony steeped in tradition as they left Istana Negara to make their way home to Istana Anak Bukit in Kedah.
The Kedah Sultan made history in 2011 because he was the only Sultan to become King twice in his lifetime. He first ascended the throne between 1970 and 1975.
Malaysians from all walks of life gathered along the road leading to Parliament to cheer the royal couple as they arrived for their ceremonial send-off.
The solemn ceremony, complete with the nafiri (Malay trumpets) ensemble, saw Tuanku Abdul Halim given a 21-gun salute as his royal flag was lowered.
They bade farewell to senior Government leaders, lawmakers and diplomats before departing for KLIA’s Bunga Raya Complex for their flight home.
Their motorcade was led by two elephants – Rambai@Pek and Myanthopyan – fitted with palanquins decorated with a yellow umbrella and red velvet cloth and accompanied by eight mahouts dressed in warrior attire.
The special aircraft the royal couple flew home was escorted by three Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighter jets.