King pledges to safeguard interests of all M’sians
PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has given an assurance to be a fair Ruler with the full interests of all segments of society at heart.
In his first Royal Address after he was installed as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim pledged to exercise his duties faithfully, honestly and fairly with full consideration to all Malaysians.
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to my brother Rulers who have placed their trust in me and given me the honour to take over the duties as the head of state.
Historic event: Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, at the installation ceremony at Istana Negara. Among the guests were Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (second from left), his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (right). — Bernama
“God willing, I will discharge my duties faithfully and honestly, and rule fairly with full consideration to all segments of society in order to safeguard the wellbeing and sovereignty of the country,” the King said at his glittering installation ceremony, steeped in Malay royal customs and traditions, at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Sultan Ibrahim also expressed his hope that the government would continue to take measures to alleviate the burden of the people and develop the country to be more advanced and prosperous.
The King expressed his appreciation to the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha for gracing the ceremony.
His Majesty also thanked the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, for his presence, which “signifies the close relationship we share”.
Sultan Ibrahim then extended his “highest gratitude” to all the Malay Rulers and their representatives for attending the ceremony.“I also want to thank all those present here today and those who sent their congratulatory messages and prayers in conjunction with my installation as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he added.
His Majesty also expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in organising the ceremony and related events.
“Last but not least, let us pray to Allah SWT to bless Malaysia so that the country will continue to progress and prosper with the people living in unity, peacefully and happily,” he said.
Besides foreign royalty, the 700 guests at yesterday’s event included the Malay Rulers, Yang di-Pertua Negeri from the four states, foreign dignitaries and Malaysian leaders.
The ceremony, which was streamed live on national television and online, marked a historic and momentous occasion for the nation and its unique rotational constitutional monarchy system.
Under the system upheld by the country since its independence in 1957, one of the nine Malay Rulers will be elected as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year period.
Sultan Ibrahim was elected the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the special 263rd meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Oct 27, 2023, and took his oath of office on Jan 31 this year.
His Majesty succeeded Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang, whose five-year reign as the 16th Yang di- Pertuan Agong ended on Jan 30.The reign of Sultan Ibrahim is also significant in that His Majesty is the first second-generation Johor Ruler to be installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after his father, Almarhum Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Iskandar Ismail, who served as the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 1984 to 1989.
