| Sultan Mizan Sworn In As 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong |
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Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah of Terengganu taking the oath of office as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in tradition at the Istana Negara. At the same ceremony, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah also takes the oath of office as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Pix: Bernama
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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah of Terengganu Wednesday took the oath of office as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in tradition at the Istana Negara here.
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah of Kedah also took the oath of office as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Both the Sultans were elected Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong at a special meeting, the 208th of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Nov 3, for five years beginning today.
Constitutionally, the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is rotated every five years among the traditional Malay rulers of nine states. The system has been in use since Malaysia gained independence on Aug 31, 1957. The King has largely ceremonial duties and acts on the advice of the Cabinet.
The ceremony today began at 11.50 am with a special meeting, the 209th of the Conference of Rulers in conjunction with the oath-taking ceremony and the signing of the instruments of appointment.
The meeting, chaired by Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak at the Throne Room, began with the "doa selamat" (prayer) by the acting Imam Besar of Masjid Negara Ustaz Abdul Rahman Haji Yusof followed by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Engku Datuk Ibrahim Engku Ngah, presenting the instrument of oath to Sultan Mizan.
After taking the oath of office, Sultan Mizan, 44, signed the instrument of appointment, followed by Sultan Ismail Petra of Kelantan and Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor as witnesses.
This was followed by the taking of the oath and signing of the instrument of appointment by the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'azam Shah of Kedah, followed by the Sultan of Kelantan and Sultan of Selangor as witnesses.
The meeting of the Conference of Rulers was then adjourned.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi then read out the declaration that Sultan Mizan had been sworn in as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong with Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'azam Shah as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The ceremony, steeped in tradition and carried live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), ended with the recital of the "doa" (prayer) by Federal Territory Mufti Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh.
All nine Malay rulers or their representatives and the four Yang di-Pertua Negeri attended the ceremony.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Menteris Besar, Cabinet ministers, Members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara and senior government officers.
After the ceremony, Abdullah led Najib, the ministers and other dignitaries for an audience with the new king.
-- BERNAMA
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