Installation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI

On 30 May 2019, the Pahang state government announced 30 July 2019 as a public holiday in conjunction with Abdullah's birthday. Following two different events that fell on the same day, the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister), Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail in a statement issued by the Office of the Menteri Besar of Pahang, had said that the State Council Meeting on 12 June 2019 had determined that 30 July and 31 July 2019 would be a public holiday for the entire state of Pahang by virtue of the powers conferred under Subsection 9 (1) of the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369).[7]

The Government of Malaysia also declared 30 July 2019 as an additional public holiday throughout Malaysia in conjunction with Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI's Coronation Day. The declaration was made by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, Ismail Bakar, under Section 8 of the General Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) of Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.[8]

For the first time in Malaysian history, the reigning royal couple are the children of the late Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Ahmad Shah of Pahang and Iskandar of Johor, the seventh and eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, respectively. Therefore, both of them, especially the Raja Permaisuri Agong, wished to restore sentimental value by reusing the thrones and royal outfits that were used during their father's installation. Thus, the thrones was brought back from the Royal Gallery of the Jaafar of Negeri Sembilan. The thrones undergo a refurbish process in order for them to be ready to be used in the installation ceremony.[9] Tunku Azizah chose and bought songket from Brunei to be used as the cover for the throne's seat. The tapestry hang behind the throne was also designed to bring out the element of the old palace.[10]

The Muskat and the Royal Tengkolok belong to the late Ahmad Shah of Pahang. They were used at the time of his installation as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1979 and had been lent to the late Iskandar of Johor for his installation 5 years later. Iskandar of Johor did not ordered new Muskat and Tengkolok for himself because he originally wanted to wear military uniforms in his installation ceremony, as he often wore while attending official events in Johor. However, Mahathir Mohamad, who at that time was the fourth Prime Minister, had met the Sultan a week before the ceremony and begged him to wear the outfit. Iskandar decided that there wasn't enough time to ordered a new muskat to be made, therefore he borrowed the muskat from Ahmad Shah.[9]

Although Abdullah wished to wear his father's muskat, he was unable to do so as his arm does not fit the muskat's sleeve. Therefore, Tunku Azizah ordered for a new muskat to be made, which has similar design as the old muskat.[9]

The outfit of the Raja Permaisuri Agong was designed by Rizalman Ibrahim, a Malaysian fashion designer who had 15 years of experience in designing the Queen's outfit. Six of Tunku Azizah's outfits made in conjunction with the ceremony are made out of fabrik tenun Pahang (Pahang's woven cloth) which were woven by occupants of Penor Prison and Bentong Pahang Prison. Elements of Johor and Pahang were inserted into the fabrics on Tunku Azizah's request. Rizalman maintained a modern Baju Kurung rounded collar design, with wrinkled shoulder that has become her identity. A few pieces of gold from the jewellery collection of her mother, Enche' Besar Hajah Kalsom binti Abdullah was also sewn, bringing the element something borrowed into the outfit. He also added a layer of thin scarf to cover her chest, suitable for her style, as she wears tudung. Besides designing Tunku Azizah's outfit, Rizalman was also entrusted to design the outfits of the Sultan's children.[10][11]

Royal invitations (Malay language: Warkah Persilaan) were sent out beforehand to the other Monarchies of Malaysia to formally invite them to the ceremony and to confirm their attendance. It was a tradition that had been practiced since the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan's installation ceremony. The royal invitations were designed by Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah herself. She instructed the makers to print all coat of arms of the Monarchies in Malaysia on the letters to symbolise unity of the monarchs.[12]

The royal invitations were handwritten in Jawi alphabet in khat form, using the Malay language. They were written in royal dialect, and followed the protocol closely. The roval invitations were entrusted to be written by a few selected individuals. First, a khat artist named Abdul Baki Abu Bakar, from Sik, Kedah. He had also written the royal invitations to the previous installations of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, had been devoted himself to the task since 2003. Another person was a khat expert, Jainal Sakiban from Batu Pahat, Johor, who was the Raja Permaisuri Agong's Islamic religion teacher. He has experience in writing the royal invitation for the wedding of Ibrahim of Johor and Raja Zarith Sofia.[12]

The messengers of the royal invitations are a representative from Istana Negara, Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela, Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, a representative from the Prime Minister office, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, a minister in the Prime Minister department, and a representative from the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal office. The invitations were presented to the respective monarchs in a gold coloured cylinder tube, which was put on a gold coloured tray. In a few states, the messengers were ordered to read the invitation in front of the monarchs.[12]

Royal invitations were also sent out to a few foreign monarchs, including Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Ali Al-Hussein of Jordan. Their royal invitations were written in jawi alphabet and in Malay language but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will translated them to their respected language.[12]

Guests started arriving at Istana Negara as early as 8 am. General guests were immediately ushered to their seat at Balairung Seri by the palace officials, while the main guests were shown to Dewan Seri Maharaja.[13]

The commencement of the ceremony was marked by the arrival of His Majesty the Royal Highnesses, the Queens and the First Lords of the State at 9 a.m. The Pecah Bendera ceremony, in which the personal flags were broken and fluttered to mark the arrival of the main guests of the palace was held. The following is a list of guests arriving at the Main Gate of the Istana Negara in order of arrival.[14] They arrived according to the Malaysian order of precedence, from lowest to highest.

1. Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and husband, Anwar Ibrahim
2. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad & wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali
3. Tunku Temenggung of Johor, Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail Abdul Rahman ibni Sultan Ibrahim
4. Tunku Besar Seri Menanti of Negeri Sembilan, Tunku Ali Redhauddin
5. Crown Prince of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra and his consort, Sofie Louise Johansson
6. Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Waleed Alkurdi
7. Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, Juhar Mahiruddin and wife, Toh Puan Datin Seri Norlidah RM Jasni
8. Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca, Mohd Khalil Yaakob and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Seri Utama Zurina Kassim
9. Yang di-Pertuan Negeri of Penang, Abdul Rahman Abbas and wife, Toh Puan Dato' Seri Utama Hajah Majimor binti Shariff
10. Regent of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and his consort, Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil
11. Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim
12. Sallehuddin of Kedah and his queen consort, Sultanah Maliha
13. Nazrin Shah of Perak and his queen consort Tuanku Zara Salim
14. Sharafuddin of Selangor and his queen consort, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin
15. Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu and his queen consort, Sultanah Nur Zahirah
16. Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah and his queen consort, Queen Saleha of Brunei
17. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and United Arab Emirates Deputy Supreme Commander Sheikh Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan

The arrival of both Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong at the Istana Negara at 10:00 a.m. MYT was welcomed by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to the Istana Negara, preceded by the sounding of fanfare trumpets of the Central Band of the Royal Armoured Corps. The arrival honours to their Majesties was done by a guard of honour company of the 1st Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, wherein the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment played the National Anthem Negaraku upon his arrival and later on following the King's review of the company and the battalion's King's and Regimental Colours.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong then went to the Seri Maharaja Hall. Later, the main guests arrived to take their places at the Balairong Seri (throne room) together from the Seri Maharaja Hall according to the order of precedence.

Abdullah and Tengku Azizah entered the Balairong Seri on 10:45 a.m. The couple were escorted in by the Grand Chamberlain of the Royal Household (Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela), Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, and palace officers bearing the Regalia of Malaysia together with their aides-de-camp. The royal couple took their seat at the throne. Their entrance were accompanied by Nobat Diraja Terengganu (Terengganu royal orchestra), who played the song Raja Berangkat (the King has arrived).[13][15]

Azuan Effendy then returned to the room with the Datuk Penghulu Istiadat, Pegawai Agama Istana Negara and a few palace officials who brought in a Quran and a few other regalias while the Royal Nobat performed the song "Menjunjung Duli". Azuan Effendy retrieved the Quran from the bearer. He approached the throne, stopping on the third step. He then presented the Qur'an to Abdullah. Abdullah accepted it, and show his respect by kissing the holy book before putting it on the special rehal which was located on the small table in between the royal couple.[13][15]

Azuan then passed the Proclamation of Installation to the Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, to be read. The proclamation then followed, in English:[16]

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, this is to proclaim to all the people of Malaysia that His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah has been duly elected by Their Royal Highnesses the Rulers of Malaysia, and today, on this auspicious and glorious day and time, shall be installed as the duly enthroned ruler of the Malaysian Nation with the title of His Majesty the sixteenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Afterwards, the Grand Chamberlain presented the Government Kris to Abdullah. Abdullah unsheathe the kris and kiss it, symbolising the power of the sovereign. He returned the kris back in its scabbard and put it on the table to his left.[15]

The ceremony followed with the reading of the Oath of Installation out loud by Abdullah. The audience stood up in respect. The Oath went as follows, in English:[16]

In the Name of God, Most Gracious and Most Merciful: We, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah, are truly grateful to God the Almighty, the Blessed, because of this election to the honourable office of the sixteenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong that has been happened because of His Benevolent Grace. Therefore, we shall justly and faithfully perform our duties in the administration of the nation of Malaysia, in accordance to its laws and its sacred constitution, shall protect the Islamic religion at all times as mandated, and shall duly fulfil the rules of law and order and promote good governance in our country.

After Abdullah finished reciting his oath, the nobat immediately played Raja Bertabal (King was installed) as the oath paper was returned to the Grand Chamberlain.

Azuan then led the threefold acclamation Daulat Tuanku! (Long Live the King!) by the crowd, which was repeated thrice. Then, Negaraku was played again, accompanied by a 21 gun salute which were given by the Royal Artillery Regiment.[15]

The prime minister, Mahathir read the congratulatory speech to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong representing the government and people. He asserted his loyalty to the throne in the speech.

Abdullah then gave his first Speech from the Throne. In his address, Abdullah professed his wish to generate unity and tolerance between people of different races and religions, by prioritising the people, respecting the elders and honouring the youngsters. He also reminded the people not to fight among themselves as unity and tolerance are the pillars of strength of the country. He also extend his gratitude towards the government on all their efforts in bettering the country in many aspects.[17]

The Palace Islamic Affairs Officer, Datuk Abd Aziz Che Yacob lead a prayer, concluding the ceremony. The guests then stood again as Abdullah and Tunku Azizah left the Balairung Seri, escorted by the Azuan Effendy and Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja, and the personnels bearing the royal regalia. The Nobat accompanied them with the song Raja Berangkat (King is leaving).[15]

Commemorative stamps were released by Pos Malaysia in celebration of Abdullah's installation. Only 300,000 stamps were printed and they were released in three variations. The first featured Abdullah in military attire. The second is Abdullah in his Yang di-Pertuan Agong attire, complete with muskat, tengkolok and kris. The third variation is of Abdullah and Tunku Azizah in the same attire as in their official portraits, Abdullah in his Yang di-Pertuan Agong attire and Tunku Azizah in royal yellow baju kurung, scarf and Gendik Diraja. Pos Malaysia also released a mini-sheet, featuring the picture of Abdullah during his Oath taking ceremony earlier this year. The stamps and mini-sheet were also sold in the form of first day covers (FDC).[19][20]

Commemorative coins were released by Bank Negara Malaysia in conjunction with the installation ceremony. They were produced in three types, gold, silver and Nordic gold. Portrait of Abdullah were carved at the front of the coins while the back featured Malaysia's coat of arms. The coins were released in limited quantity. Only 300 pieces of the gold coins, 1,500 pieces of the silver coins and 15,000 pieces of the Nordic gold coins were made. They are available for purchase on Bank Negara Malaysia's website starting August 2019.[21]