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KUALA LUMPUR: Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu, will officially ascend the throne as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong today in an installation ceremony steeped in tradition.


The rich royal traditions and customs of the installation ceremony will be held at the Balairong Seri or Throne Room of Istana Negara at 10am.

The hour-long ceremony to be broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia will begin with the blowing of the nafiri, announcing the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at the Balairong Seri.

It will be followed by the haunting strains of the Kumpulan Nobat Diraja Terengganu, or the Terengganu Royal Ensemble, rendering the song Raja Berangkat accompanying their majesties to the throne.

The ceremony will be attended by the rulers, members of the royal household, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, ministers, heads of state governments, members of the foreign diplomatic corps and local and foreign guests.

The arrival of Tuanku Mizan, 45, and Tuanku Nur Zahirah, 33, at the Balairong Seri will be led by the Grand Chamberlain Tengku Farouk Tengku Jalil and bearers of the "Mace of the Universe" and the "Mace of Religion".

Both the sceptres are made of silver and form part of the royal regalia symbolising the royal authority of the government of Malaysia.

They will be accompanied by his majesty’s footmen and bearers of the royal regalia.

Tuanku Mizan will be in the official ceremonial attire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the "Muskat" comprising the black royal jacket embroidered in gold thread, long black pants, together with the Tengkolok (Royal Head-Dress), which is intricately woven with gold thread.

The king will wear the "Royal Buckle" or the Pending which is made of gold and decorated with 11 rubies, and an engraved centrepiece featuring the federal government crest, while the belt is made of heavy ribbed silk and embroidered with floral motifs in gold thread.

From his waist will hang the "Royal Short Kris" made of ancient kris blades and ivory studded with gold engravings.

Tuanku Nur Zahirah will be in the ceremonial dress of the Raja Permaisuri Agong, crowned with the "Royal Tiara" or Gendik Diraja and will wear the Kalung Diraja or "Royal Necklace".

Both the tiara and necklace are made of platinum and studded with diamonds.

After the grand chamberlain presents a copy of the Quran to the king, the prime minister will read the "Letter of Proclamation".

The grand chamberlain will after that present the government kris or the "Royal Long Dagger", the symbol of power and authority, to the king.

The king will give his pledge as the "Paramount Ruler of Malaysia" and the nobat will render the Raja Bertabal (The King is Crowned) and this will be followed with shouts of Daulat Tuanku.

This will then be followed by a 21-gun salute and the rendition of the Negaraku by the Royal Malaysia Police band.

Abdullah will then on behalf of the government and people of Malaysia congratulate and pledge loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to be followed by the king delivering his royal address.

Tuanku Mizan was elected the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at a special meeting of the "Conference of Rulers" on Nov 3 last year to succeed the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail whose five-year term ended on Dec 12, 2006.

from New Straits Times