The country's unique revolving monarchy was passed on today to the youthful sultan of oil-rich Terengganu, a keen rider who has represented his country at international events.

Mizan Zainal Abidin, who at 44 will be Malaysia's second-youngest king ever, has handed the sultanate of Terengganu over to his eight-year-old son while he serves a five-year term in Kuala Lumpur.

Sultan Mizan was to be sworn in at the presidential palace after signing a letter of agreement at parliament and taking an oath of office.

He will formally installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong (He Who Is Made Lord in Malay) in a grand ceremony next year at a date to be set.

Malaysia has had a system of elective monarchy since independence in 1957, with the rulers of nine of the country's 13 states choosing a new king every five years.

The king commands great respect from Malaysians, especially the country's majority ethnic Malays, who maintain a loyalty to rulers which can be traced back to Malay sultanates centuries ago.

The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the majority-Muslim nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.

He also signs bills into law and appoints ministers, judges and ambassadors although the duties are largely ceremonial, acting on the cabinet's advice.

Real power

The real power in Malaysia lies with the prime minister.

Under ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad, kings were stripped of their veto over government bills in 1983. Ten years later, their immunity from prosecution was removed to curb alleged abuses of power.

Mizan, who has been deputy king since 1999, was born in Kuala Terengganu, the capital of Terengganu state, on January 22, 1962.

He became the youngest Malay ruler when he ascended the throne at the age of 36, after his father's death.

He was educated in Malaysia and Melbourne, Australia, and later received military training in Malaysia as well as at the British military academy at Sandhurst in the early 1980s.

Mizan has a degree in international relations and has worked as a civil servant for Terengganu.

Passionate about horses

According to a biography released by the Terengganu palace, his interests centre on sports, notably football, golf and scuba diving, and he has a black belt in taekwondo.

His real passion is horses, and he has competed in numerous competitions in Malaysia and abroad, winning first place in two equestrian events in Australia in 2004.

He represented Malaysia in the World Equestrian Games in Germany in August this year, and helped the country win the rights to host the World Endurance Championship in Terengganu in 2008.

Sultan Mizan is married to Nur Zahirah, 33, who is also an equestrian and martial arts enthusiast. The couple have four children, two boys and two girls between the ages of four and 10.

Three-member regency council

One son, eight, will serve as regent of Terengganu guided by a three-member regency council headed by the sultan's younger brother.

In a speech late yesterday, Sultan Mizan said he would continue to pray for Terengganu and its people during his absence, Bernama news agency reported.

"Although physically I will be far away, it will only be out of sight, not out of mind," he said.

"The fact is, I will always be in the hearts of the Terengganu people."