The King’s royal regalia

Tengkolok Diraja or the Royal Head-Dress.

THE uniqueness of the constitutional monarchy practised in Malaysia is equally reflected in the grandeur of the royal regalia worn by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his consort the Raja Permaisuri Agong.

Since independence, the royal regalia – which symbolises splendour, authority and supremacy – has been used on many occasions for generations.

According to historical records, the Malay Rulers took their royal regalia with them to wars, on hunting expeditions and even when travelling.

Among the most revered items deemed symbolic in the Malay royal regalia are the weapons, attire and sceptres.

During the installation ceremony, the Ruler who has been chosen to be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would wear the official ceremonial dress known as the Muskat, complete with the royal headdress, buckle and a short dagger, that make up the royal regalia.

The Muskat is a long, black robe adorned with golden embroidery.

Inspired by the traditional outfit of the people of Oman and Kedah’s baju sikap, Muskat is the official attire of the King worn only on certain occasions which include the installation ceremony, His Majesty’s birthday, during his official visit to Malaysian states and the opening of parliament sessions.

According to Istana Negara website, it was first introduced by the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Tuanku Syed Putra Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail, during his installation ceremony in the 1960s. The tradition continues to this day.

Instead of a crown, the King wears a royal headdress known as the Tengkolok Diraja which is made of black songket and embroidered with gold thread.

What started as part of the tradition by the Malay Rulers, the royal headdress had transformed into a symbol of power equal to a royal crown.

The Tengkolok Diraja is folded and tied in the Dendam Tak Sudah style originating from Negri Sembilan. Its style is inspired by the elective monarchical system

The style of the royal folding varies depending on the tradition of the royal family of each royal house.

Affixed at the front of the royal headdress is an ornament – made from platinum – in the shape of a crescent and a 14-pointed star with Malaysia’s coat of arms in the centre.

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Another part of the Agong’s ceremonial attire is the Pending Diraja (Royal Waist Buckle) and the Keris Pendek Diraja (Royal Short Dagger).

The buckle is made of pure gold and decorated with rubies with an engraved centrepiece featuring Malaysia’s crest.

The belt is made of ribbed silk and features floral motifs embroidered in gold thread.

The Keris Pendek Diraja is made out of steel sourced from old daggers and features a hilt and sheath made of ivory and engraved in gold.

Its hilt, known as the Hulu Pekaka, is shaped like the head of the legendary garuda bird.

Like the Keris Panjang Diraja (Royal Long Dagger), the Keris Pendek Diraja is only worn by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Keris Panjang Diraja’s hilt and sheath are covered in gold with the emblem of Malaysia and that of the 11 states of Peninsular Malaysia engraved on the cross piece.

The blade is forged from steel taken from 11 keris from all 11 states and the hilt is shaped like a horse’s hoof. It features decorations similar to the jering fruit.

The royal regalia also includes the royal sceptres, namely Cogan Alam (Sceptre of the Universe) and Cogan Agama (Sceptre of Religion).

Cogan Alam is a silver mace measuring 162.66cm in length. At the head of the mace is an orb on which is a crescent and a 11-pointed star made of gold are surmounted, symbolising Islam as the main religion of the country.

The orb is also decorated with the crests of the 11 states in the peninsula. These are also made of gold and supported by four tigers which symbolise national bravery.

The shaft itself features six stalks of paddy carved in gold. Meanwhile, Cogan Agama is 155.04cm long and made of silver.

It consists of a large, conical head with a five-pointed star made of gold mounted on a long shaft. Quranic verses are embossed on the head and shaft.

For the Raja Permaisuri Agong, the unique royal regalia include the Gendik Diraja (Royal Tiara) and Kalung Diraja (Royal Necklace).

The Gendik Diraja is made of platinum and encrusted with diamonds, featuring the traditional awan larat motifs.

Set at the centre of the tiara is a crescent and a star, also made of platinum. The tiara was specially designed so that it can be taken apart to form a locket and brooch.

The Royal Necklace, which is also made out of platinum and fully studded with diamonds, can also be taken apart to form a pair of earrings and ear studs, as well as a brooch.

Other royal regalia items include the Cokmar, Pedang Diraja (Sword), Keris Panjang Diraja (Long Dagger) and Sundang Diraja (a type of dagger).

The Cokmar, a symbol of the power and authority of the Malaysian government, consists of a pair of maces featuring a short staff and a dome-shaped head made of silver. Each mace is an estimated 81.32cm in length.

The Keris Panjang Diraja and Sundang Diraja have carved silver-coated hilts and sheaths. Other symbols of royalty that play an important role at official ceremonies are the seven-metre-long Payung Ubur-Ubur Kuning (Yellow Dome-Shaped Umbrella) and Tombak Berambu (a type of spear).

The umbrella is made of yellow silk and features an 11-pointed star and crescent on its top. The blade of the Tombak Berambu is forged from the metal of ancient spears used all over the peninsula.