BREAKING: Agong returns - MALAYSIA's... "ROYAL MYSTERY"

Some fast-emerging news from Malaysia! Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, country's Federal King, has resumed his public duties after two months of medical leave. His deputy, Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak, who had been acting King in his place from November 2 (past year), departed from the Capital (Kuala Lumpur) on December 31, ending that tenure. Although Muhammad V has already appeared in public, there are some rumours circulating about his "pending" Abdication. They are yet unconfirmed, with current government declining any further knowledge, and Kelantan officials denying them. Meanwhile, the state is yet to recognize the YDP Agong's recent marriage to Russian 'beauty Queen' Oksana Voevodina, having avoided any official announcement, and leaving the question of a possible future Raja Permaisuri Agong open.

DETAILS AS WE KNOW THEM:

Sultan Nazrin Shah ends duties of acting Agong:

Perak' Sultan Nazrin Shah (62), the deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who has temporary replaced King Muhammad V as acting head of state, ended his duties on December 31, 2018. He left from capital Kuala Lumpur's Istana Negara (national palace), where he had resided for two months at about 5pm. Before leaving from the palace grounds, he and his wife, Tuanku Zara Salim (Raja Permaisuri of Perak), attended a departure ceremony, where they received souvenirs from Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, in presence of Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and ~500 officials.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong attends Friday Prayers:

YDP Agong Sultan Muhammad V was first seen in public again earlier today (January 4, 2019), while performing Friday prayers at Sultan Ismail Petra mosque (named after his father) in Kubang kerian, Kelantan (his Sultanate). He wore a cream-coloured jubah (traditional robe), and arrived at ~1:30pm, accompanied by state's Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Datuk Ahmad Yacob, State secretary, and Mufti. After this weekly prayer session, the congregation, made up of 5,000 people also performed solat hajat (a special prayer seeking help) for the King's long life & health after returning to his official duties. Before leaving congregation, Sultan Muhammad (49), shook hands with its members for some time.

Abdication rumours: 

Moreover today the Prime Minister (Mahathir Mohammad, 93) confirmed that the King has reassumed his schedule (merely citing "As far as I know"). It was during a press conference, where he was also asked about the recent rumours, saying that Sultan Muhammad V is intending to step down. An unscheduled meeting among Malay Rulers took place last Wednesday night, according to some sources. Such unofficial meetings (unlike the Conference of Rulers) are usually held once or twice during an Agong's term and do concern important issues. Mahathir's answer was clear. He said that like them, he also had heard this rumours, but as long as no "letter or any official indication" has reached him, he isn't intended to talk about this. While to the question if there should be another acting Agong, it the King hadn't return to assume his duties, the elderly leader said that this decidion is up to the Conference of Rulers. Just Yesterday Kelantan's officials denied rumours of Agong's abdication from his position, with th state's deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah asked the Attorney General's Chambers to dismiss those reports as "fake news".

THE PARADOX: 

So this is what we know so far... While Sultan Muhammad V has returned back after two months of "treatment leave", and reassumed the duties of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it's still evident that the meeting of all Malay Rulers has been held (on Jan. 2), being covered up in absolute mysticism, and discussed a serious matter regarding the monarchy. It is not known whether the King attended himself, but the other rulers were all present (or represented). Also according to another source, the usual Wednesday meeting between the Agong & PM (in which cabinet papers are presented to the King) did not take place this week.

And yet another fact has - as of yet - remained silenced under mystery - the King's marriage. As a previous publication refers (https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-new-raja-permaisuri-agong-malaysias.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR2DpVUNvm1f4B6c0ikg4FUEvcZbgznYmxxYKuG5JU4mJ7iI73T1pgYxj9Y), Muhammad V was married to Russian model and winner of 2015' beauty pageant "Miss Moscow", Oksana Voevodina( now known as Rihana Oksana Gorbatenko, or Chik Rihana binti Abdullah - in Malay) on November 22, and reportedly prepares for children with her. Istana Negara has not announced anything ever since, although some reports or even photographs from the event can confirm it. In order to evolve his 25-year-old new wife, as the Head-of-State's consort, or Raja Permaisuri Agong, Muhammad (who turns 50 this year, and is said to be anxious about leaving a heir) has first to name her as Raja Perempuan (~"Queen Consort") of his state Kelantan. Although there were already some controversial issues within its royal family (see also this publication: https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/12/golden-wedding-of-kelantans-former.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR1GfP_aLHpdqP0ZXbDQ8yy1bCKL8k6Np6nooirql8p6c2NBPWxtzSiT044), and (as I know from another source), a royal consort is required to be Malay by origin (which Oksana doesn't fulfill).

So, is there another Royal "Feud", regarding the status of his wife, in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the only one, reigning without a Raja Permaisuri Agong) doesn't step aside, while other traditional monarchs don't accept? Are they trying to keep it out of public eye as long as possible? Has there also any important involvement the Sultan's family of Kelantan? Is there hidden the usual (in past) question of Palace or Love, that won't be resolved unless Muhammad V divorce Rihana, or be forced to step down shortly within his five year term as Federal King (normally ending in 2021)? They are all questions worthy to be optionally seen and discussed about. But as no detailed information is yet (and will unlikely ever be) available, we can only fictionalise and speculate. And though these speculations may have a part of truth within, the official result may come only through facts (carefully directed by the palaces), if they emerge in the next few days. Or, either way, if the important changes are avoided, there may be still some details (or even facts) remaining unclarified, so even if we could never discover them, it's just worthy to know the initials they were originally hidden behind!. A next publication referring the topic will be made only in case of any major change.

Video with parts of Mahathir Mohamad's answers in today's press conference:

Another of Muhammad V's attendance to Friday prayers:

And further links of information:

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/12/31/sultan-nazrin-ends-duties-as-acting-yang-di-pertuan-agong/

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/446885/agong-performs-friday-prayers-sultan-ismail-petra-mosque

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/04/dr-m-ive-only-heard-rumours-about-the-king-abdicating/

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/446827/agong-has-resumed-duties

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/446735/rulers-had-special-meeting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertuan_Agong

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_V_of_Kelantan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_of_Rulers#Meetings