The new Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail today praised the government for its efficiency and responsibility in launching the various development programmes which had left a positive effect on the peoples lives.

The Raja of Perlis said this in his royal address during his installation as the countrys 12th King at Istana Negara today.

The Agong said the Malaysian system of parliamentary democracy has given the people the freedom to determine the political direction of the country, religious freedom, cultural freedom, language freedom, and the freedom to seek wealth and education.

The King also attributed the countrys economic recovery to the will and resilience of the countrys multi-racial population to succeed.

He also praised the tolerant attitude shown by Malaysians which has brought success in many fields including political, social and economic, saying that it will enable the country to continue developing even more rapidly.

Pomp and pageantry

The Agong, 58, was installed with full pomp and pageantry at the Balairong Seri or Throne Room of the Istana Negara in an hour-long ceremony which began at about 10am and carried live by RTM.

He was accompanied by his consort, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid.

The ceremony was attended by the Malay Rulers, members of the Royal Household, ministers, members of the foreign diplomatic corps and other state leaders.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad read out the Letter of Proclamation written in Jawi on goat hide, followed by a 21-gun salute and the National Anthem.

The live telecast of the installation also offered footages of the Agong and his family behind the screen of royal protocol, including scenes of him as a young boy and of him playing with his grandchildren and during his golf games. There were also scenes of the Queen visiting her subjects.

The reel added a human dimension to what was otherwise a solemn ceremony imbued with custom and symbolism.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was elected the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Dec 12 following the death of Tuanku Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on Nov 21 last year. The new King was sworn in on Dec 13 last year and will reign for a five-year period.