Malaysia’s Council of Rulers announced their decision on 7 January that they will meet to choose a successor to King Muhammad V and a deputy on 24 January.

King Muhammad V in a parliament meeting on 17 July (Source: AFP)

The swearing-in ceremony will take place on 31 January.

The meeting was attended by six rulers, except Ruler of Pahang who was unable to attend due to health reasons and Ruler of Selangor who is currently out of the country.

They expressed respect for King Muhammad V’s decision to resign and lauded his contributions to the country as head of state.

King Muhammad V, Ruler of Kelantan, became the 15th head of state of Malaysia in 2016. He was due to finish his five-year tenure in 2021, but on January 6, the Malaysian royal announced his official abdication.

He had previously also taken two months leave, during which, Deputy Nazrin, who is also Ruler of Perak, served as acting king.

(Source: VNA)