Kissing a revered dagger to the echo of drum beats, the country's 12th monarch was installed in a solemn ceremony today and pledged to work for fairness, peace and Islam.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, a British-trained ex-army officer, formally assumed the largely ceremonial office five months after the death of his predecessor.

Wearing a black-and-gold gown, regal head-dress and diamond-studded belt buckle, the 58-year-old ruler drew and kissed the Royal Long Dagger, a privilege symbolising power and authority.

From the new king's waist hung the Royal Short Kris, a knife made of ancient blades and ivory engraved with gold carvings.

"I will hereby rule Malaysia in a fair manner, in accordance with the law and the country's constitution, and uphold at all times the religion of Islam and stand firm for a just government and peaceful country," he declared in his oath of office as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (He Who is Made Lord).

Cries of "Long live the King!" and beats from traditional drums punctuated the colourful ceremony, which ended with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad - the real power in Malaysia - pledging loyalty to the new monarch on behalf of the government and the people.

The government declared Thursday a public holiday to mark the coronation, which was broadcast live from the royal palace in Kuala Lumpur, the new royal couple's home for the next five years under the country's unique rotating monarchy.

Constitutionally, the position of king is rotated every five years among the traditional Malay rulers of nine states.

The previous monarch, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, died of heart failure on November 21.

Keen sportsman

The king is head of state and the multi-cultural country's symbolic head of Islam, as well as the nominal chief of the military. He signs bills and appoints ministers, judges and ambassadors.

Acting on the advice of the cabinet, the king legally still enjoys discretionary powers over the appointment of prime ministers and can withhold his consent to any request to dissolve parliament.

But real power is wielded by Mahathir, who has been premier for the past 20 years. The veteran leader has twice clashed with the royalty over their rights, and both times has won.

In 1983 kings were stripped of their veto over government bills and 10 years later their immunity from prosecution was removed.

The new king is ruler of Perlis, the smallest state tucked in the northernmost tip of peninsular Malaysia which shares a border with Thailand.

Born in Arau, the state's royal town on May 16, 1943, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is said to be a keen sportsman and avid supporter of English Premier League football side Tottenham Hotspur.

He was educated locally and at the Wellingborough private school in England before going on to the British military academy at Sandhurst in 1964.

After graduating he served as a lieutenant in the army for four years before joining the Army Reserve Force in 1970, where he now holds the rank of colonel.

Married to Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid with two children, he has been called a humble and friendly ruler known to set aside protocol to meet and mix with his subjects.