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Daulat Tuanku
Undoubtedly, the Malaysian monarchy is a unique system
as it is the only country where its King is elected every five
years. Here the King or the ‘Yang Di Pertauan Agong’
is elected every five years unlike the traditional system where
the Monarch ascends the throne through lineage and remains until
his abdication or death.
Malaysia has Seven
States are headed by Sultans (Kedah, Selangor, Kelantan, Johor,
Perak, Pahang and Terengganu), one by a Raja (Perlis) and another
by Yang Di-Pertuan Besar (Negeri Sembilan). Of these nine
hereditary Malay rulers, each takes turn to rule for five years
as king.
This system was the
innovation of the country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku
Abdul Rahman and was the result of the historical situation in
Malaya.
 It evolved from the combination of the British ruled
Straits Settlements (Penang, Malacca and Singapore), the British
North Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak with the Malay States in
the formation of an independent Malaysia.
Tunku Abdul Rahman
found it difficult to decide which of the nine Malay Rulers
Sultans should be King since each of them was entitled to the
throne. In the end to protect the position and prestige of the
Malay rulers, he decided on a system where each Sultan would be
King for a term of at least five years and the King would be
called the “Yang Di Pertuan Agong”, or Supreme
Ruler.
The
office of the King is not hereditary but is for a fixed term of
five years and on a rotational system among the Rulers. It
provides that for the purposes of the appointment of the King,
the order of precedence among the nine Rulers (based on the
length of time the Rulers had reigned in their States) at the
time of Independence,
be followed.
The position of the King is that
of a constitutional Monarch and plays an important constitutional
role in the country. He does not have absolute powers except
certain powers conferred by Parliament on him under Federal Laws
provided in the Federal Constitution. Except for a few matters
where he is allowed to use his discretion, he can only act on the
advice of the Prime Minister.
Amongst his titles,
in the Judiciary, he is the fountain of Justice, he is also the
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and is the Supreme Head
of
Islam in the country.
RELATED
LINKS
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Details of the present King HRH Yang DiPertuan Agung
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra
Jamalullail
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Pictures and brief details on the past Yang DiPertuan
Agong's or Kings of Malaysia.
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The nations most precious jewels. The full regalia is
worn by the King, Yang DiPertuan Agong during specific
ceremonies
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travel - travel guide - holiday destinations -
information - sightseeing - places to visit
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