Malaysia declares billionaire as new king in lavish ceremony

Malaysia declared a billionaire sultan as its new king in a lavish ceremony on Saturday, a post seen as a liability in times of political crisis.

Coronation Ceremony of King Sultan Ibrahim, 65, JanuaryKuala Lumpur National PalaceIt was celebrated following his swearing-in as the country’s 17th monarch in January.

malaysia is a constitutional monarchyWith a unique system in which the throne changes every five years among the rulers of the nine Malay states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor was inaugurated this Saturday The seventeenth King of Malaysia, He will hold the post for the next five years, at a grand ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur.

Iskandar, 65, ascended the throne in a ceremony earlierMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar IbrahimAnd 700 guestsThese include the country’s other sultans, the four governors of Malaysian states without royal families, and representatives of foreign nations.

The king, accompanied by the queen consort, Raja Zarith Sofia, wore the traditional royal attire of his sultanate, which consists of black trousers and jacket and gold trimmings.

The tradition in Malaysia is to ‘invest’ the monarch rather than ‘crown’ him as is called in European monarchies.

“Long live the king!” Anwar wrote in a message to congratulate the new king, who has been ruling since his proclamation on January 31.

In October last year, the country’s nine sultans decided during a Council of Rulers conference that the Johor monarch would be the next to ascend the throne, becoming the southern state’s second ruler four decades after his late father. Sultan Mahmud Iskandarbecame king among From 1984 to 1989.

Famous for his large collection of vehicles, Sultan Ibrahim, who is seen in Ferrari sports cars on social media and driving high-end motorcycles, is known for his outspokenness and personality when trying to influence political affairs.

He is one of the richest sultans in Malaysia; His personal investments range from mining operations, football teams and large housing projects.

Sultans succeed each other on the throne every five years. This Malay-Muslim majority country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 according to a rotating system of monarchy.

The lineage of Malaysian sultans is very old For a 15th-century Malay sultanate,

The King is seen by Muslims as representing the nation 60% of the approximately 31 million inhabitants, As the patriarch of the Malay ethnic group, and as a reference for the Chinese, Indian and aboriginal minorities.

Although his role is ceremonial, his central role has become increasingly central due to Malaysia’s turbulent political landscape, with Anwar becoming the fifth prime minister in less than five years, following more than two years of political crisis.

The King of Malaysia has the discretionary power to appoint a Prime Minister who he believes has the support of a majority of MPs.