The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, today took the oath of office as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in tradition and customs at Istana Negara.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, also took the oath of office as the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Their Majesties were elected by the Conference of Rulers at its 243rd (Special) Meeting at Istana Negara on Oct 14, and will reign for five years from today.

Sultan Muhammad V, 47, succeeds the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, who completed his reign as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday.

Today's ceremonies at the Balairong Seri (throne room) began with the 244th (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers held in conjunction with the taking of oath of office and signing of the instruments of office by Their Majesties.

The Special Meeting was chaired by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Then, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, presented the oath of office document to Sultan Muhammad V who read out the oath of office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and signed the document.

The oath of office document was also signed by the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, as the witnesses.

The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal then presented the oath of office document to Sultan Nazrin Shah (photo), who read out the oath of office of the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong and signed the document.

This oath of office document was also signed by Sultan Mizan and Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin as the witnesses.

The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal then announced that the 244th (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers had been adjourned sine die.

The ceremonies in the Balairong Seri continued with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, flanked by Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela Maj-Gen Md Tajri Alwi, and his assistant, Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, presenting the instruments of proclamation of office to be signed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Najib then read out the proclamation stating that Sultan Muhammad V had taken the oath of office as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Sultan Nazrin Shah had taken the oath of office as the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The ceremonies, broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia, concluded with the reciting of prayers by Federal Territory mufti Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

All nine Malay Rulers or their representatives and three Yang di-Pertua Negeri attended the ceremonies.

Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abdul Taib Mahmud was represented by speaker of the Sarawak state assembly Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the menteris besar, chief ministers, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, senators and senior government officers.

- Bernama