Malay rulers hold special meeting to decide date to choose king

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- The Conference of Rulers is believed to have held a special meeting at Istana Negara this morning to discuss the date for selecting the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Six vehicles bearing the royal emblems of the Royal Houses of Perlis, Terengganu,  Negeri Sembilan,  Johor,  Perak and Kedah were seen entering the grounds of Istana Negara as early as 10 am.

It is understood that the meeting lasted for more than an hour before the royal cars of the Malay rulers were seen leaving Istana Negara at from 12.25 pm.

The meeting is believed is due to  the announcement by Sultan Muhammad V that he was stepping down as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong effective yesterday.

The media was also made to understand that an official statement would be issued by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad on the matter soon.

According to the Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab Aziz, His Majesty had officially informed the Malay rulers his decision to step down as King in a letter sent to the Secretary of the Conference of Rulers.

Sultan Muhammad V was installed as the 15th  Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV on April 24, 2017 after his proclamation on Dec 13, 2016.

He was elected as Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV at the 243rd (Special)  M​​​​​eeting of the Conference of Rulers in October 2016, while the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, was elected Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sultan Muhammad V had succeeded the Sultan of Kedah, the late Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah whose term as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong ended on Dec 12, 2016.

-- BERNAMA