Malaysia honours new king in coronation marked by pomp and cannon fire

Sultan Ibrahim will wear the crown for a five-year-term under Malaysia’s unique rotating system of monarchy.

Traditional pomp and cannon fire marked the coronation of Malaysia’s billionaire King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

The new monarch has pledged to govern fairly during the five-year term he will serve under a unique rotating monarchy system.

Sultan Ibrahim, 65, was sworn in on January 31.

Saturday’s coronation at the national palace formalised his role as Malaysia’s 17th king in a ceremony steeped in Malay culture and pageantry.

New Malaysian monarch in close-up — Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar will serve for five years (AP)

Malaysia has 13 states but only nine have royal families, some which trace their roots to centuries-old Malay kingdoms that were independent states until they were brought together by the UK.

Wearing black and gold traditional ceremonial outfit and headgear, Sultan Ibrahim and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah were greeted by military salute before they proceeded to the throne.

The heads of the other royal families, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Bahrain King Hamad Isa al Khalifa were seated on a stage beside the throne.

The Sultan of Brunei and his wife attend the ceremony — Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen of Brunei Pengiran Anak Saleha attended the coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur (Pool via AP)

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim then pledged his government’s loyalty and said the royal institution was a pillar of strength for the nation. He then proclaimed Sultan Ibrahim as Malaysia’s new king.

“God willing, I will discharge my duties faithfully and honestly, and to rule fairly,” Sultan Ibrahim said in his coronation speech.

He also urged Mr Anwar’s government to step up efforts to improve the livelihood of the people and bolster the nation’s development. After the sultan took his oath, guests in the hall chanted “long live the king” three times.

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar is one of Malaysia’s richest men (AP)

He is known for his collection of luxury cars and motorbikes, and is the only state ruler with a small private army – a concession granted to his state when it joined modern-day Malaysia.

The sultan is vocal about Malaysian politics, and has spoken out about corruption and racial discrimination.

Known as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or He Who is Made Lord, the king plays a largely ceremonial role, with administrative power vested in the prime minister and Parliament.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar salutes the guard of honour — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was alongside the new monarch at the ceremony (Pool via AP)

All laws, cabinet appointments and the dissolution of Parliament for general elections require his formal assent.

The king has the power to proclaim an emergency and pardon criminals.