Sultan Muhammad V Leaves For KL To Ascend Throne As Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

KOTA BHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia) Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King, the ruler of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, left Tuesday for the federal capital to ascend the throne as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year reign. Sultan Muhammad V, who was elected as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers at its 243rd meeting in October, will be proclaimed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after taking his oath of office and signing the instrument of proclamation at Istana Negara (national palace). The tradition-rich ceremonial departure of the Sultan from Istana Negeri, Kubang Kerian, here began at 7.50am. The Regent and Tengku Mahkota (crown prince) of Kelantan, Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra and Chief Minister Ahmad Yakob were among the dignatories who accompanied Sultan Muhammad V to the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan. Thousands of people of various races, waving the Kelantan and 'Jalur Gemilang' national flags, lined the 14-kilometre route from Istana Negeri to the airport. Cultural performances were staged at 11 locations along the route. The special aircraft carrying Sultan Muhammad V and International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, as the minister-in-attendance, took off from the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport at 9.12am. -- BERNAMA