Sultan Muhammad V has stepped down from his post as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysia’s King) effective on on 06 Jan 2019 (Sunday), ending weeks of speculation about his future.
The palace did not give any reason for the 49 year old royal’s move.
The King was taking a two month break since beginning of November for medical treatment.
During this period it was was rumored that he had married a 25 year old Russian beauty queen, Oksana Voevodina, in Moscow.
Royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumors.
Sultan Muhammad V has offered his thanks to the other Malay Rulers who had chosen him as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Dec 13, 2016.
He has prepared to return to his home state of Kelantan to be with the State government and the people of Kelantan to help uplift the state further.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years, elected among the nine hereditary sultans of the country’s royal Malay houses on a rotational basis.
But Sultan Muhammad V’s resignation comes just two years after he ascended in December 2016, and three years before his reign was due to conclude.
The abdication of Sultan Muhammad V as Malaysia’s head of state is a historic first for Malaysia.
Speculation had intensified about Sultan Muhammad V’s future this week when the country’s other royals reportedly held a special meeting.
[…] The news of the that the couple are expecting their first child came on 08 Jan 2019, 2 days after Sultan Muhammad V announced his abdication. […]
[…] comes after Sultan Muhammad V unexpectedly stepped down from his post on 06 Jan 2019 only after he ascended in December 2016, and three years before his reign was due to […]