Malaysia’s royal council to vote for a new king on January 24

Members of Malaysia’s royal families agreed on Monday to vote for a new king on January 24 to replace King Muhammad V, who has stepped down unexpectedly, the national news agency Bernama reported.

The king abdicated on Sunday after just two years on the throne, the first time a monarch has stepped down before completing their five-year tenure. No reason was given for the resignation.

King Muhammad, 49, had only just resumed duties last week after spending two months on medical leave.

Images purporting to show him getting married in Russia appeared on social media in December and identified his new wife as a model and former Miss Moscow, Oksana Voevodina.

The marriage has not been confirmed by either the palace or the government.

Media has also reported some tension between the palace and the government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad since the veteran leader returned to power last year.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and while the king assumes a largely ceremonial role, his assent is needed for the appointment of a prime minister and various other senior officials.

Malaysia’s nine royal households take turns to provide a king, who is chosen through a vote in a Council of Rulers, made up of the nine households, most of which are led by a sultan.

A vote must be held within four weeks of the throne becoming vacant.

Heads of six of the nine households met on Monday at the national palace to decide a date for the election of a new king.

The council agreed that a new king would be voted in on January 24, and would formally take the throne on January 31, the council said in a statement posted on the Bernama Twitter feed.

Earlier on Monday, Mahathir said the government hoped the council would elect a new king as soon as possible as the government needed to keep the king apprised on “certain matters”, Bernama reported.