The King of Malaysia serves as the
constitutional monarch and
head of state in Malaysia, a position established in 1957 upon the country's independence from the
United Kingdom. This position is filled through an election process by the
Conference of Rulers, consisting of
nine kings from the Malay states. Malaysia stands out as one of the few nations with an
elected monarch. The term of service for the King is five years, and reappointment is not immediately allowed. The 16th King,
Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, officially concluded his five-year reign on 30 January 2024. Earlier on, a Special Meeting was held on 26 October 2023, by the Conference of Rulers to discuss the upcoming election of the next King. In this meeting, the
Sultan of Johor,
Sultan Ibrahim, was elected as the 17th King, succeeding Abdullah. His five-year term takes effect on 31 January 2024. The
Sultan of Perak,
Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah was elected as the Deputy King, with his term also commencing on the same date. In contrast to monarchies in other nations, the King assumes office without a
coronation ceremony. However, the commencement of the new king's reign is distinguished by two significant ceremonies: "Istiadat Melafaz dan Menandatangani Sumpah Jawatan" ('Ceremony of Swearing-in and Signing of the Oath of Office'), during which the new king takes the oath of office and is formally proclaimed, and "Istiadat Pertabalan" ('Installation Ceremony'). == Pre-installation ceremony ==