Installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The Installation Ceremony of the Malaysian Sovereign is the Malaysian equivalent of a coronation, marking the beginning of the reign of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Malaysian head of state.

Since 1957, the rite has been a part of Malaysian history, with 13 such ceremonies held, first at the Prime Minister's Residential Function Hall at Jalan Ampang in Kuala Lumpur, and in the State Palace from 1980 onwards. The old Istana hosted its final installation in 2007, and in 2012 the brand new State Palace at Jalan Duta held its first installation.

The ceremony is a hybrid of ceremonies found in 8 of Malaysia's nine royal states, which all have one similarity: all do not use a crown. Instead, a special headdress known as the Tengkolok Diraja (Royal Headdress) is used, except in Johor where the Sultan is crowned (as the State Government is heavily British-influenced).

Installation

The Installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his consort, the Raja Permaisuri Agong, is often held months after the Sovereign's election by the Conference of Rulers at the Istana Melawati in Putrajaya. The installation is strictly ceremonial, as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong immediately takes office upon the expiry of the previous term, or in case of a vacancy, upon election. A simple inauguration ceremony is held on the day the Yang di-Pertuan Agong begins his term, in which the Sovereign takes the oath of office.

Since 2012, the new Istana Negara at Jalan Duta in Kuala Lumpur is the venue of the ceremonial enthronement, with Malaysia's television networks providing a live nationwide simulcast of the proceedings. Previously, installations were held at the old Istana Negara at Jalan Istana, also in Kuala Lumpur.

Guests, as possible would wear the Ceremonial Dresses (for government officials and MP's), the No.1 Uniform for members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Police, and other uniformed forces, morning coats, national dresses for diplomats and the Malaysian national dresses, the Baju Melayu for men and the Baju Kurung or Baja Kebaya Labuh for women. Being a Collar Day, medals and order ribbons are worn by those who are required and entitled to wear them by law.

Details of the national installation proceedings

A Royal Procession by members of the RMP and the Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps Motorized Escort Squadron makes its way through Kuala Lumpur's streets on the way to the National Palace at Jalan Duta. On the way, Malaysians from all walks of life line the procession route to pay homage to the Sovereigns and shout "Daulat Tuanku!" (Long Live the King!) at the procession as it passes by.

The ceremony begins with the arrival of the soon-to-be enthroned Sovereigns in the State Palace. As they arrive at the entrance, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Deputy Prime Minister, government ministers, officers of the Armed Forces and holders of the various National and State Orders welcome them. The 1st Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment together with the Central Band of the Regiment are ready to give the arrival honors.

Arrival Honours

As soon as the Sovereigns arrive, the RMR 1st Btn. gives the Royal Salute, as the national anthem Negaraku is played by the Military band and the RMR's colours are dipped in their presence. The Royal Artillery Regiment give a 21-gun salute in their honor, the first of two such salutes.

After this, the 1st Btn. Commander asks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to inspect the battalion's Guard of Honor. While this is done Menjunjung Duli is then played by the band and the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, who then is escorted by Battalion Commander and the Royal Umbrella holder, inspects the GOH and its Colors Party, and salutes the latter.

As it ends, the Battalion Commander reports to the Sovereigns that the honors are completed, and leads the second Royal Salute for the unit. They then enter the State Palace with one more salute from the RAC's lancers, and proceed to another room to meet up with the other state rulers and their consorts, the regent or the regency board of the Sovereign's home state if needed, and the federal governors and their wives.

Pre-installation

The Royal Spear Guard Platoon of the Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps Mounted Ceremonial Squadron by then form up at the Throne Room entrance. Later on, the Grand Chamberlain (Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela) together with the Warrior Mace Bearers, the Royal Aides-de-camp of the Sovereigns and the Royal Regalia Warrior Bearers get ready for the Sovereigns' arrival. The Dang Perwira (ladies-in-waiting) also await the arrival.

At the throne hall, the Sovereigns of the 8 Malaysian states and the Regency Council of the home state of the Yang-di Pertuan Agong arrive, together with the government officials, members of the Parliament of Malaysia, military and police officers and enlisted personnel invited in their No.1 uniforms, medal and order recipients, diplomats and other guests in attendance and take their places. The Nobat (royal orchestra) members also prepare to play the installation music for the enthronement.

Arrival and Opening of the ceremony proper

At the signal and announcement of the Master of ceremonies and preceded by a fanfare by trumpeters of the RAC, the Sovereigns arrive at the Throne Hall with music from the Nobat. They lead a Royal Arrival Procession followed by the Royal Regalia, Mace, Sword and Spear Holders, the Grand Chamberlain and the Royal Aides-de-camp, and all go to their respective places, the Sovereigns in the Royal Throne and the Royal Regalia and Mace Holders at the left and right of the throne area, and the Aides-de-camp (drawn from the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysian Police) at the sides.

After their arrival, the Grand Chamberlain asks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to formally permit the commencement of the installation ceremony, and the latter approves it, leading the former to formally open the proceedings.

Entrance of the Second Group of Bearers and Entrustment of Quran

After the commencement, the Grand Chamberlain then asks the permission to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to bring the ceremonial regalia for the installation. After granting the approval he then walks off the hall, and then leads a second group of bearers entering the hall led by the Ceremonial Chief (Datuk Penghulu Istiadat), with the Nobat playing Menjunjung Duli at the background and carrying the following in golden robed trays:

Quran
Government Keris
Proclamation of Enthronement and Installation
Oath of Installation

The second group later takes its places, and after obtaining it, the Grand Chamberlain, after having given permission by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, entrusts the Quran to him, who then kisses it and later places it in a table between the Sovereigns' thrones. This symbolizes the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's religious duties and responsibilities. The other items are then placed on a separate table, and the bearers exit.

Proclamation of Installation by the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister then formally proclaims the full enthronement of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong using this formula:

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
This is to proclaim to all the peoples of Malaysia that HRH N. has been duly elected by Their Majesties the Sultans of Malaysia, having been met as the Conference of Rulers, and today, on this auspicious and glorious day and time, shall be installed as the duly enthroned ruler of the Malaysian Nation titled as the Most Conqueror Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaysia

The proclamation paper used is first given to him by the Ceremonial Chief after the Grand Chamberlain has given the permission of the King, and after reading it he gives it back to the former.

Entrustment and Kissing of the Government Keris

After the proclamation, the Grand Chamberlain, after giving his permission to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and after receiving it from the Ceremonial Chief, formally entrusts to him the Keris Kerajaan (Government Keris), also known as the Keris Panjang Diraja (Royal Long Keris) as the symbol of his royal authority, and afterwards the Grand Chamberlain and the ceremonial chief descend the throne area. He then draws the sabre, kisses it, and returns it to its scabbard. Afterwards he then puts the sabre on a pillow in the table near the Qu'ran.

Oath of Installation, Acclamation and the National Anthem

After the sabre kissing, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is given his oath of installation by the Grand Chamberlain through the Ceremonial Chief after the order for it is approved, and then reads it aloud. The audience then stands in respect.

I, N. as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, am truly grateful to God the Almighty, the Blessed, because of this election to the honorable office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that has been happened because of His benevolent grace.

Therefore, I shall justly and faithfully perform my 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 to me,
And shall duly fulfill the rules of law and order and promote good governance in our country.

After the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reads the oath and then returns it to the Grand Chamberlain and later to the Ceremonial Chief, and the Nobat's music is then halted by its conductor upon the return of the oath paper, the Grand Chamberlain then leads the crowd in the threefold acclamation of Daulat Tuanku! (Long Live the King!), in which they respond with the same words. It is then followed with the playing of Negaraku, the Malaysian National Anthem, by a selected military band from either of the three services of the Malaysian Armed Forces that is accompanied by the Royal Artillery Regiment's 21-gun Royal Salute in honor of the newly enthroned Sovereigns. By then, the crowd remains standing up in respect of the national hymn being played by the band and would sing along.

When the music ends, the oath paper is returned by the Ceremonial Chief to the table.

Congratulatory Speech and Loyalty Pledge by the Prime Minister

After the playing of the National Anthem and everyone goes back into their seats, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is then asked by the Grand Chamberlain to permit the Prime Minister for his speech of thanksgiving and loyalty pledge in honor of the installation of the Sovereigns, and he approves it. The speech is then read by the PM himself, with the paper, earlier received by the Ceremonial Chief, being returned to him in the end of it. The speech also contains a promise of full loyalty to the Sovereigns on behalf of all Malaysians.

Speech from the throne by the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong to the nation

After the Prime Minister's speech, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after getting the permission of the Grand Chamberlain, gives his first speech from the throne to the nation as King of Malaysia in the State Palace Throne Room, outlining the prospects of his tenure as the Sovereign for the Malaysian nation. The paper is given to him by the Grand Chamberlain and the Ceremonial Chief before the speech commences, and when it is finished is given back to the latter two.

Thanksgiving Prayer and Handover of the Quran

After the speech, the Grand Chamberlain pays homage to the newly installed Sovereigns. The State Palace religious officer, also after paying his respects, then approaches the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to ask permission to lead the nation in an Islamic prayer of thanksgiving in honor of the Sovereigns' installation. After receiving his approval, the religious officer recites a doa selamat in honor of the occasion. After this, the Quran is removed from its place in the throne and is then handed back to the Grand Chamberlain and later on to the Ceremonial Chief.

Closing of the ceremony

At this point, the ceremony is finished when the Grand Chamberlain's permission to the newly installed Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare the closing of the ceremony is granted by him. Afterwards, a Royal Procession happens to mark the departure of the newly enthroned Sovereigns, led by them, the Grand Chamberlain, the Ladies-in-Waiting and the Royal Regalia holders. Everyone stands in respect when the procession passes by the center of the hall and when the music halts the Sovereigns leave and then arrive in a designated room to await the dismissal of other dignitaries present.

Royal Installation Banquet

Since Malaysian independence, the nation inherited the traditional banquet reserved for the installation of rulers, a practice common in the 9 sultanate states after the installation of their rulers. This happens hours after the installation in the National Palace Banquet Hall in the evening hours. Everyone present wears mess uniforms and other required formal dresses.

The banquet commences with the arrival of the royal dignitaries led by the Grand Chamberlain together with the State Rulers and their consorts, the Federal Governors and their spouses, the Prime Minister with his spouse and the Deputy Prime Minister with his spouse. Then, as everyone stands, the Nafiri sounds a fanfare when the Sovereigns arrive. This is followed by the national anthem and afterwards, everyone is seated and the banquet proper can start. The banquet commonly lasts for 45 minutes or more. Formerly the old Throne Hall in the old State Palace was used for these banquets and with the building of the new palace they have been moved to a new purpose made hall in the premises.

External links

Malaysian Parliament's Yang di Pertuan Agong page.