In a ceremony steeped in royal tradition, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'azam Shah, 84, was installed as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong today at the new, majestic Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

The installation ceremony, attended by eminent guests, took place at the Balairong Seri or Throne Hall of the national palace, with Tuanku Abdul Halim taking his Oath of Installation, marking the formal commencement of his tenure as the Supreme Head of the Federation.

NONE The oath-taking ceremony was the culmination of today's installation

proceedings.

Shortly after, the sound of nafiri (trumpet) and nobat (drum) reverberated in the Balairong Seri to the tune of " Perang ", followed by three shouts of " Daulat Tuanku " (Long Live the King), led by the acting Datuk Maharaja Lela (Grand Chamberlain) Azwan Effendy Zairakithnaini.

This was followed by the firing of a 21-gun salute and the playing of the national anthem " Negaraku " by the Royal Malaysian Air Force band, led by Lt Sabri Abdullah.

Some 900 guests witnessed the colourful and glorious ceremony, including the Malay Rulers and their consorts, the Yang Dipertuas Negeri, the prime mnister as well as cabinet ministers and foreign diplomats.

Special significance for Najib

The ceremony today marked two historical significance for the country as well as for Tuanku Abdul Halim. Firstly, this is the second time that His Majesty was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the first was as the Fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1970 at the age of 42.

Now four decades later, Tuanku Abdul Halim was again installed to the position, as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Secondly, His Majesty is also the first to be installed at the new Istana Negara in Jalan Duta.

Adding to the uniqueness of the installation ceremony this time around is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. When Tuanku Abdul Halim was installed as the Fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the prime minister at that time was Najib's father, Abdul Razak Hussein, the second prime minister of Malaysia.

The installation ceremony was telecast live by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).

It started with Tuanku Abdul Halim and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah making an entrance to the Balairong Seri, to the accompaniment of the blowing of the nafiri and the striking of the nobat by the Kedah Royal Nobat Group, playing the tune "Belayar".

It was preceded by the entrance of acting Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela who led the royal arrival procession which also comprised the Holders of the Royal Regalia and Maces - the Cogan Alam (Mace of the Universe) and the Cogan Agama (Mace of Religion).

Both maces, which are made of silver, are part of the royal regalia and are also the Malaysian government's national insignia.

Royal accessories

Tuanku Abdul Halim was attired in the official dress of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, called the Muskat, which is made of black wool and embroidered with gold threads, as well as the " Dendam Tak Sudah " headgear or " tengkolok ", and embroidered long pants.

Other royal regalia are the Royal Buckle or the " Pending Diraja " which is made of gold and decorated with rubies, with an engraved centrepiece featuring the Federation Crest, while the belt is made of heavy ribbed silk and embroidered with floral motifs in gold thread.

There was also the Keris Pendek Diraja which was forged from the blades of antique keris. The hilt and sheath are made of ivory embedded with gold.

Her Majesty Tuanku Haminah was attired in the official dress of the Raja Permaisuri Agong which consists of a long dress, the " Gandik Diraja " or Royal Tiara and the " Kalung Diraja " or the Royal Necklace, both of which are made of platinum and studded with diamonds.

Their Majesties were then ushered to their thrones, marking the start of the installation proceedings.

The ceremony then proceeded with the entrance of the second group of bearers and Quran entrustment, with Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Datuk Awang Kechik Abdul Rahman bearing a copy of the Al-Quran, while other Istana Negara officials were bringing in the Keris Panjang Diraja , the Proclamation of Enthronement and Installation, and the Oath of Installation, accompanied by the striking of the nobat , playing the tune " Palu ".

- Bernama