The Sultan of Terengganu will be installed as our new King in an elaborate ceremony tomorrow morning.
TOMORROW, Malaysia will install its 13th King, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Agong A-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin became the youngest Malay ruler when he ascended the Terengganu throne at the age of 36. He was crowned the 17th Sultan of Terengganu on May 15, 1998.
He was the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong from April 26, 1999, till he was elected by he Conference of Rulers to succeed Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail (the Raja of Perlis) on Dec 13, 2006, for a five-year term following a rotation system established since Independence.
The installation ceremony is a glittering affair which marries many aspects of the Malay-Muslim culture and traditions.
There are several elaborate stages to the ceremony, which is witnessed by the Sultans and Governors of the states, ministers, ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Malaysia and leaders of political parties.
Invitation to the ceremony is a highly restricted and exclusive exercise, which is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister`s Department. This year, 10 events have been organised to commemorate the installation, and involves all levels of society whereby the King and Queen meet with Cabinet Ministers, VIPs, orphans and the rakyat.
The Prime Minister`s Office and the Istana Negara handle the protocol and ceremonial aspects of the ceremony. From etiquette to be practised by attending guests when they are honoured by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong`s presence, to seating and security arrangements during the ceremony, both parties certainly have their hands full.
The installation ceremony
At 10 o`clock tomorrow, the installation ceremony will begin. Guests will take their places, and accompanied by traditional nobat music, the Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong will enter the Balairong Seri (Throne Room).
They will be preceded by the Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara (Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela), and the Penjawat, who will carry the Cogan Alam (Sceptre of the universe) and Cogan Agama (Sceptre of Religion), accompanied by palace courtiers.
A sword, keris, cokmar (Royal Mace), sundang and spear will also be brought into the room.
The nobat will play Raja Berangkat (loosely translated as the arrival of the King and is Queen), signalling the royal arrival, and guests will stand to demonstrate their respect to the new King and Queen. The moment the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong are seated on the throne, the Grand Chamberlain and other royal courtiers will settle into their respective places in the Throne Room.
Then the Grand Chamberlain will then seek permission (“menyembah”) from the Yang di- Pertuan Agong to bring in the Alat-alat Kebesaran Istiadat Pertabalan (the instruments of Royal Installation) to the Balairong Seri.
He will then leave the room, and together with the Datuk Penghulu Istiadat (The Protocol Officer) and the Religious Officer of the Palace, the instruments will be brought in.
They consist of the Holy Quran, the Keris Kerajaan (Keris of State), Letter of Proclamation and The Oath of Office.
The Grand Chamberlain will present the Holy Quran to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who will rise from his throne to take it, kiss it and then place it on a special table between the King and Queen.
The Grand Chamberlain will then take a few steps back, bow to the King, and invite the Prime Minister of Malaysia to read the Letter of Proclamation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The Prime Minister will then present himself to the King with a sembah (salute) before reading out the letter. When that is over, the Prime Minister will return to his seat, the Datuk Panglima Istiadat will take the Keris Kerajaan (Keris of State) and accompany the Grand Chamberlain to present the item to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
His Majesty will then unsheath the keris and kiss it, before placing it on the table. The Grand Chamberlain will then step down to take the Oath of Office, and then offer it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who will then read the oath.
When the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has completed reading the oath, and returned the oath to the Grand Chamberlain, the nobat will sound, signifying the King`s installation.
The Grand Chamberlain will then announce, Daulat Tuanku! (Long live the King!) three times, followed by the audience.
Twenty-one cannon blasts will be fired, and the National Anthem, Negaraku, will be played.
The last few moments of the ceremony are of equal importance. The Prime Minister will come forward to present a congratulatory speech and pledge of loyalty from the government and the people of Malaysia.
When this is over, he will be shown to his seat, and the Grand Chamberlain and Datuk Penghulu Istiadat will present a tray bearing the scroll of His Majesty`s speech (Titah di-Raja). When His Majesty finishes his speech, the Grand Chamberlain will then ask for permission to announce that the Installation Ceremony is over. Their Majesties will take their leave after the announcement.
The festivities will continue in the palace grounds with the royal couple being invited to inspect a march-past of the Armed Forces.
A grand luncheon will follow for the royal family, dignitaries, and other guests to rejoice in the celebrations. Guests will also be feted at a garden tea ceremony, whereby the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong will meet with well-wishers.
Later in the evening, a royal banquet will be held to welcome and herald the new King and Queen of Malaysia.
Source: www.thestar.com (27 April 2007)
