It has been announced yesterday that Princess AshiKesang Choden Wangchuck, a half sister of Bhutan's Dragon King recently welcomed her third child, a baby girl. The announcement came with congratulations for her 37th birthday today (January 23, 2019), through an announcement via the royal family's Facebook page. The exact birth date & newborn's name are yet to be revealed, but it was said the baby arrived safely.
Her Royal Highness is a daughter of former Bhutanese fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck by his third wife, Queen Tshering Pem. Her father reigned over the last Himalayan kingdom for 34 years and abdicated in favor of his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel in 2006. Jigme Singye is married to four sisters - all of whom are currently titled as Queen-Mothers. Tshering Pem is the second by age. Kesang Choden was born on January 23, 1982. She is named after her paternal grandmother (the world's only living Queen Grandmother). She was educated at secondary schools at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, USA, and has a psychology degree from Stanford University (California). She has worked as director of Bhutan's Thangka Conversation Centre, seeking the preservation & restoration of thankas (kingdom's religious paintings - masterpieces of cultural heritage).
Photo with her husband - not from their wedding
Kesang Choden Wangchuck married to Dasho Palden Yoser Thinley, son of country's former Prime Minister Jigme (Yoser) Thinley, on 11 November 2008. The wedding coincided with her father's 53rd birthday and was held at the Dechencholing Palace, in capital Timphu.
The princess and her husband have already two sons together - Dasho Jamgyel Singye Wangchuck and Dasho Ugen Junay Wangchuck.
Princess Ashi Kesang Choden's two sons (the children)
Kesang Choden with her younger son.
Further links of information:
https://www.facebook.com/bhutaneseroyalfamily/photos/a.2101666680047430/2226823737531723/?type=3&theater (fb-post)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesang_Choden_Wangchuck
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigme_Singye_Wangchuck
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tshering_Pem
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigme_Khesar_Namgyel_Wangchuck
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesang_Choden_(born_1930)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wangchuck
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MORE UPDATES TO FOLLOW SOON, SHOULD FURTHER DETAILS BE RELEASED...
Last Tuesday the Malaysian state of Pahang swore in a new monarch! Tengku Abdullah, 59, succeeded his father, Sultan Ahmad Shah, 88, whose 44-year-reign was decided to be ended by the state's Royal Council, due to his failing health. Abdullah, who accepted this decision, becomes the sixth Sultan in Pahang's modern history, and the first in line of pretenders for the next King of Malaysia, due to be chosen on January 24. He was proclaimed on 15 January 2019 at Pahang's Abu Bakar Palace, in capital Pekan.
Sultan Ahmad Shah (on the wheelchair) & Sultanah Khalsom (left).
The Alleged Abdication:
Pahang's Royal Council met Friday (11/01) in Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, to discuss a serious matter in absolute secrecy. Tengku Abdullah, first in line to the throne of Pahang, and Regent for the last two years, chaired this meeting. It was held some days after the Sultanate's new state secretary, Salehuddin Ishak, was sworn in by the regent (on Jan. 7). The meeting took place in a hotel room and lasted for three and half hours. Before it was concluded, three time shoutingsof: Daulat Tuanku! (usually performed during royal proclmations and installations) were heard. Abdullah's senior wife, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (who was also in attendance) appeared visibly moved (trying to weep away tears), and hugged her husbands relatives, who are members of the royal council. Finally, Tengku Abdullah his wife & family members posed for official photographs, and before his departure, thanked the media for waiting, but didn't made any comment.
The outcome of this meeting was announced Saturday (12/01) at 3pm by senior members of Pahang royalty, in a press Conference at Istana Abu Bakar. Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah Tengku Muda of Pahang (& Sultan's second son), announced the Royal Council's proposal to appoint the Tengku Mahkota (Heir to the throne) as the new Sultan, because their father's condition of health didn't allow him anymore to fulfill his obligations as a Ruler. He also said that at the meeting their discussed and agreed to approve an amendment to the Part 1 of Article 9 A, of Pahang's constitution, so to allow the Royal Council preside over such decisions ("ask(ing) the ruler to abdicate due to his grave illness"). The amendment was approved, and effective from January 11. Tengku Abdul Rahman concluded that Abdullah has accepted the responsibility, and will be sworn in on Tuesday, January 15 at the palace. He additionally expressed his confidence "that my brother will be an efficient, active and fair Sultan, no less than my father". So the Sultan's abdication was pending.
THE PROCLAMATION CEREMONY (as it happened):
Allahu Akbar & Daulat Tuanku (x3):
The proclamation was widely solemn and ceremonial, stipped into the Sultanate's traditions. It begun at ~10:50am on Tuesday, with those, carrying the states regalia, entering the royal audience hall. The newly appointed Sultan (with his accession counting from the midnight) and his consort (the future Tengku Ampuan) entered the hall with their escortance at 11:00. They sat down on their thrones and the ceremony, attended by ~1,600 dignitaries and family members started. Tengku Abdu Rahman (the Tengku Muda) read the declaration, promulgating Tengku Abdullah Ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah as the 6th Sultan of (modern) Pahang. Then Abdullah read his short inaugural oath and immediately was proclaimed Sultan, with all the attendance (led by Tengku Muda) pledging their allegiance to the new ruler by shouting three times: the religious: Allahu Akbar! (God Is the Greatest!) and thence the royal: Daulat Tuanku! (~Long Live the King!). It was the first Sultan's proclamation in Pahang since 1974. Official Congratulation speeches followed. Tengku Abdul Rahman (58), represented Pahang's titled royalty and nobility in pledging his loyalty to his brother through his speech, while the state's Chief Minister (/Menteri Besar) Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail offered a similar speech on behalf of Sultanate's government and people. The event was concluded with Sultan Abdullah's accession speech, a prayer led by Maharaja Leila (a major local religious figure), and the state anthem played. The Sultan's full regnal name would be now: KDYMMAl-Sultan Abdullah Ria'yatuddin Al-Mustafa Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah al-Musta'in Billah.
Sultan Abdullah & Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah
"The Ruler and the People are Never apart" - PADUKA AYAHANDA's LEGACY:
"Abdullah and his wife were overcomed by emotion when he appealed on the people to pray for his father and his late mother"
In his first speech as Sultan, Abdullah Al-Haj paid a heartfelt tribute to his father Paduka Ayahanda ("Sultan-Father") Sultan Ahmad Shah, who reigned over the state for almost 45 years. He characterized him as a fair, noble, and kind Ruler, well-loved and respected by the people. He said that Paduka Ayahanda's legacy is incomparable and "will be chiselled into history". Abdullah and his wife were overcomed by emotion when he appealed on the people to pray for his father and his late mother, Tengku Ampuan Afzan, whom he described as a "Queen and a jewel of my heart that once lost is difficult to replace". In addition the new Sultan thanked former Sultanah Khalsom (Ahmad Shah's second wife) and the rest of his siblings for loving and caring his father (also Malaysia's former 7th King), who was not present at the ceremony due to his serious illness. Sultan Abdullah also used the opportunity to call on the state leadership to serve the people with responsibility, trust and piety, and remind them that only a God-fearing leader will realise the accountability of his actions in the afterlife. He concluded with the personal plegde, that the motto which his predecessor's reign was based on: The Ruler and the People are Never apart" will continue under his own.
Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah
Tengku Mahkota:
Following the new Sultan's appointment there were questions about who will succeed him as Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince). The heir to the throne does not become immediately known on the Ruler's accession. He is usually appointed after the royal family approves him, while his official proclamation/installation as such can not take place even within few years (Abdullah himself was made Tengku Mahkota at the beginning of 1975, but had to wait until October 23, 1977, to be proclaimed). Though the most likely candidate to this position is Abdullah's elder son, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim (23), who was made Tengku Panglima Besar in June last year. Sultan Abdullah however said that he has to discuss this matter with his family, and while Hassanal is currently studying at the Sandhurst Military Academy (in UK), a relevant announcement will be made soon.
Coat of Arms of Pahang Darul Makmur.
No public holiday:
During Saturday's press conference Tengku Abdul Rahman was asked whether the state would take a public holiday in ocassion of the new Sultan's proclamation of Tuesday. He answered that a suggestion would go forward to the state secretary, and it's up to it to decide. Finally the state secretary Datuk Seri Dr. Sallehuddin Ishak announced in a short message that Pahang will not have a state holiday on Tuesday, with all bysinesses and public companies working as usual. Although it is not yet known whether Abdullah is going to have another, more ceremonious, public enthronement, it has been reported that an Installation (customary enthronement) of the new Sultan is expected within a year.
Pahang's flag
The New Sultan:
Tengku Abdullah was born on 30 July, 1959, the fourth child and first son of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah al-Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'azzam Shah and his first wife, Almarhumah Tengku Ampuan Afzan binti Almarhum Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Muhammad. He has seven siblings. He was educated at a local school and continued in a UK' college. A graduate of the Sandhurst Military Academy, Abdullah became the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang in 1975, being officially proclaimed in 1977. He was appointed regent for the first time in 1979, when his father was elected Malaysia's 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong and served in that position until 1984.
Abdullah & Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah in their youth
His Royal Highness married Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (b. 1960), the younger daughter of the late Sultan Iskandar of Johor, on 6 March 1986. They had six children (among them twins), four sons (the first of whom died on his birth) and two daughters. Abdullah also has a second wife (m. 1991), former actress Cik Puan Julia Aishah binti Abdul Rais (b. 1971). She is not his official consort, though together they have three daughters (one of whom was recently married to his cousin). Additionally, he has an adopted son (Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim), who is not in line of succession.
Sultan Abdullah was referred by some as a kind and down-to-the-earth Ruler, close to his people, always concerned about their wellbeing, personally aiding them on natural disasters, and every time open to any dialogue, or opposite mind, placing himself "above politics". He is keen in his passion with sports too, holding honorary positions in Malaysian and Asian Hockey and Football Assossiations, and a member of the FIFA council, as well. Abdullah became once again regent in late December 2016, when the elderly Sultan Ahmad Shah decided to withdraw from most of his everyday official duties, due to his old age and declining health. At the time of his accession he was the third longest-"waiting" heir apparent in the world (after Charles, Prince of Wales in UK and Crown Prince Frederik in Denmark).
The Old Sultan:
Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah
Sultan Ahmad Shah was born on October 24, 1930. The third child and only son of Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'azzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu'tasim Billah Shah (r. 1932-1974) and his official wife Tengku Ampuan Besar Fatimah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah (born into the Royal family of Perak) - Ahmad Shahwas named Crown Prince in 1944, at the age of 14. He attended Malay school & College in Pekan and Perak states (respectively), and learned some Japanese when his formal education was temporary disrupted during WWII (& the Japanese occupation). From 1948 His Royal Highness pursued his higher education in public administration at England's universities (including Oxford), underwent a three-year practical training at the Sidmouth Urban District Council and served as Chief of Staff of Malaysian Federal Army's Infantry Battalion, at the age of 35. He succeeded his father as 5th Sultan of modern Pahang on May 8, 1974.
A rare photo of Sultan Ahmad Shah with his late first wife.
Ahmad Shah was elected the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia in April 1979 (upon the sudden death of the previous King, Sultan Yahya Petra of Kelantan), and served a full five-year term until 1984. He married Tenku Hajah Afzan Tengku Muhammad on 22 April 1954, and had seven children (two sons and five daughters) with her. Afzan was proclaimed Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, and served as Ahmad's Raja Permaisuri Agong (Head of State's "Queen" Consort) during his five year term. She died of cancer in June 1988. Ahmad Shah married his second wife, Persian-Pakistani Anita Abdullah (b. 1951) on 14 March 1991, and named her Sultanah the next year. She took the Malay name Khalsom and gave birth to his youngest son, Tengku Fahd Mu'adzam Shah in 1994. The Sultan remained active until his middle 80s, relinquishing his active public life from 2017, when his age became felt. At the age of 88, and having reigned for nearly 45 years, he has been the oldest & longest-reigning living monarch in Malaysia, the longest-reigned Sultan of modern Pahang (& its second longest-reigned ruler), and the 7th oldest-living, 3rd oldest reigning & 7th longest-reigning (individual) monarch worldwide. For his nation's monarchy, Ahmad Shah was the last of the reigning generation, born until 1930.
SultanHajiAhmad Shah al-Musta'in Billah
Sultan Ahmad Shah was described as a "people's ruler" with down-to-the earth personality, often ignoring protocol to be with them (in difficult situations), and never avoiding to publicly speak out & express his opinion. However he has also been known as a headstrong personality, controversially dismissing his state's CHief Ministers over minor disagreements, and has reportedly had a rift with the long-term (& currently reelected) Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The former Ruler has had (like his son) hobbies in different sports, like football, hockey, polo & equestrian. He served as President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) between 1984 & 2014, and President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from 1994 to 2002. In addition he is the president of Asean Football Federation (since 2011) and constitutional head of the International Islamic University (IIUM) since 1983.
Sultan Ahmad Shah's Mosque, in Kuantan, Pahang.
Succession to Malaysian throne: ABDICATION OR DEPOSITION?
Abdullah's appointment on the throne of Pahang at this moment, solves the wide-discussed question about about the next Malaysian Federal King/Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Under the country's unique rotation system monarchs from its nine traditional muslim states exchange each other in Head of State's position (equal to a constitutional monarch), being elected by the Conference of Rulers according to the traditional order of seniority of the states. This order was formed during the first rotation of all the nine states, according to the length of each monarchs' reign, but is still in force now (during the second rotation), unless the Conference of Rulers decides not to follow it. Following the historical abdication of the most recent, 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan) on January 6, in the middle of his term, the conference is called to elect his successor within a month. According to the seniority order, the Sultan of Pahang was the next candidate to become King. However, Sultan Ahmad Shah's age and health condition wouldn't allow him to serve a second term (even though another Sultan, Abdul Halim of Kedah reached a unique record to complete a second full term as YDP Agong, shortly before dying in his late 80s). So it is likely that his abdication and Tengku Abdullah's quickly-drafted accession was planned as a last moment option, so to preserve the traditional line of rotation and pave the way to Pahang's Regent to be elected as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (as a legitimate Ruler) later this month. And while both Sultan Abdullah and the Royal Council of Pahang stated that the choice of next King is up to the Conference of Rulers (& beyond their powers), this succession and at that timing, solves every difficulty in choice and brings about the highest possibility for the new Sultan to be selected (on January 24) and sworn-in (January 31) as the nation's Head of State. Thus, Ahmad Shah's abdication (which he was aware of, but couldn't actively decide, or approve), can be seen rather as a deposition, especially applied in the last moment, as the final solution for the tradition's conservation.
Coat of Arms of Malaysia.
Video, featuring last Tuesday's accession:
Relative links of previous publications:
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/breaking-sultan-muhammad-v-has.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR26i9sCl3o1L0b1LoPHKBT3SF5RQK_b8Ly7oFyhyHKRsTC49-X890ZUaLQ
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/11/royal-wedding-in-pahang-malaysia.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR1fnXF8p-cdWYfChJlkZ1H6qqwy6Q8FSKG9BzFi_sYd-h9l5xZl_wTd9NE
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/10/malay-royal-history-is-repeated.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR3dOIB6WII2zp6yyH938gHishiQHKHS_qn-upnLxS8MRjW9i9D3dQDZZnE
& further links of Information:
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/01/12/shouts-of-daulat-tuanku-as-pahang-royal-council-meets-for-3-hours/
http://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1684144
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sultan-abdullah-to-ascend-throne-as-sixth-sultan-of-pahang-in-traditional-ceremony
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/16/rulers-heartfelt-tribute-pahang-sultan-paduka-ayahandas-legacy-is-without-comparison/?fbclid=IwAR2GxtLpxHNcJicbx4VDLp2Em8xMg-s5Sg2wCllKdCGFgvN5rMwVnTq4l18
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/450762/all-hands-god-says-sultan-pahang-appointment-new-king
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/14/a-sultan-who-is-known-for-his-kindness-and-closeness/?fbclid=IwAR0jFoeCVOMYsNkWzSv9rL_K9T2uNcfjtKFMTaSctA5Txv5tCsGzJM--nvQ
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/12/sultan-ahmad-shah-was-pahang-ruler-for-almost-45-years/
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/449813/netizens-welcome-new-sultan-pahang
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/long-live-the-king-pahang-regent-accepts-congrats-after-meeting-seen-as-paving-way-to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMABPEaVNKg (full video of the press conference - 12/1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCzadwjzxzw&t=93s (full streaming of the proclamation - 15/1)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_of_Pahang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Shah_of_Pahang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_of_Pahang
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_of_Rulers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertuan_Agong#Order_of_seniority_of_states.
A Royal Wedding took place in the Malaysian state of Perak yesterday (Saturday, January 12, 2019). The Sultanate's Raja Muda (Crown Prince), Raja Jaafar ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa, 77, tied the knot with his distant cousin, Raja Nazhatul Shima binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, 66, in an elaborate, private palace ceremony; with the bride receiving the title of Raja Puan Mahkota (and evolved to the position of state's "second lady"). A grandson and a daughter of previous Sultans, they are (through a line) both second cousins-once-removed to the present state's ruler, Sultan Nazrin Shah. While the latter is currently serving as Malaysia's acting King/Head of State (/Yang di-Pertuan Agong), the bridegroom temporarly replaces him in daily official functions as Pemangku Raja (/Regent) of Perak. The Couple's dynastic marriage comes after they both became widowed in 2017.
The double wedding ceremony was held at Istana (/palace) Riswin, in Perak's Capital Ipoh. It included both the traditional Akad Nikah(~exchanging of vows) and Bersanding(~marriage' blessing) ceremonies (usually held apart). In attendance were the newlyweds' children, and some of their major royal relatives, including the bride's sister Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah (consort to the Sultan of fellow Malaysian Johor state); brother Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain (second in line to the throne after the groom); and his wife Tunku Soraya (daughter of the late Sultan Abdul Halim from fellow Kedah state). Though each Malaysian state has its own royal traditions, there are some cases of inter-state marriages continuing in our days, with the most of its nine Islamic monarchies being closely related to each other.
Raja Jaafar was born in 1941. He attended english & chinese schools in Malaysia, before studying in Universities here and the US, receiving a Master's degree in public Administration. In the latter he has a wide experience; between 1966 and 1996 he served in various royal and ministerial offices, in aspects including education, economy, management, land owning, and defence. Jaafar married for the first time in 1973, to Raja Nor Mahani binti Almarhum Raja Shahar Shah. Together they had two children, a son and a daughter. They were proclaimed Raja Muda and Raja Puan Besar of Perak, in June 2014, by (the then recently ascended) Sultan Nazrin Shah. Raja Nor Mahani died in October 2017, weeks before her 75th birthday. Jaafar was also briefly married in 2002 to commoner Che' Puan Hazleza binti Ishak, who died under suspicious circumstances the same year.
Raja Nazhatul was born in 1952, the first daughter of Sultan Idris II Iskandar Shah and his wife Raja Muzwin Raja Ariff Shah, Raja Permaisuri of Perak. Through her father she is the second cousin of Raja Jaafar, while through her mother, they are second cousins-once-removed. She attended local schools in her state, before enrolling to a high school in Elgland in 1968. She studied Art & Architecture in British Colledges, receiving a degree in Art and Design, and joining an Industrial Society of these topics. Nazhatul Shima married in September 1972 to Singaporean Syed Omar Alsagoff (1937-2017), with whom she had six sons.
Part of the common genealogy of the Couple, also including some of the previous Sultans of Perak (noticed in red)
Jaafar's father was also the Heir of Perak's throne. The Sultanate's throne is not directly passing from father to son, with its succession based on seniority. Thus some of the heirs can be older than the Sultan (unless he appoints his adult son first), in a complicated system where the throne is often exchanged between branches of distant relatives, and not all of the pretenders live to take the reins.
As the senior Heir of his state's throne, Raja Jaafar became the Regent of Perak in November last year, when Sultan Nazrin Shah (already serving as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong since 2016) was proclamed acting King during the temporary absence of incumbent YDP Agong Sultan Muhammad V (https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/11/breaking-deputy-ydp-agong-appointed.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR1wOsN7arp_c_Q78zf9w__DIKUfhTgMOKUlwU2bD2xuy9FVP9C7tAAM5og). Following the latter's abdication earlier last Sunday (January 6) as Head of State, Nazrin Shah assumed again his duties (until the next King be elected), with Jaafar likely to retain the position of Pemangku Raja until the end of this month. Nazhatul hasn't taken any other title as Regent's consort.
Further links of information (mostly in Malay):
http://warisanpermaisuri.blogspot.com/2019/01/istiadat-pernikahan-perkahwinan-diraja.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Jaafar
https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazhatul_Shima
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perak_Sultanate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_succession_to_the_Malaysian_throne#_Perak.
It was announced on Sunday, January 6, 2019, that the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Federal King) of Malaysia, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan has stepped down from his position as Head of state. The confirmation came through a statement from the National Palace (Istana Negara - YDP Agong's official residence) that evening with immediate effect. Sultan Muhammad V has served as Malaysia's 15th elected King from December 2016 and his term would normally expire in 2021. He becomes the first in this office to leave it through resignation. Under Malaysian monarchy's unique rotation system (where a King/Head of state is elected every five years among the country's nine muslim traditional rulers, in a concrete order), his successor should be elected by the Conference of Rulers and take the oath of office by the end of this month.
How everything went through :
The announcement came from Istana Negara in the late afternoon. It stated that His Majesty resigned as Yang di-Pertuan Agong according to the article 32(3) of Federal Constitution, having officially informed the Conference of Rulers through written letters. This article refers that the YDP Agong "may at any time resign from office by writing to the Conference or Rulers, or be removed by it". The King also expressed his gratitude to the Conference of Rulers for having elected him, the Prime Minister & national government for "given cooperation in the administration of the country", the statement said. Muhammad V concluded by urging to All Malaysians to remain united, be tolerant & responsible, so the country could continue to enjoy peace & harmony. Former YDP Agong himself was by then ready to return to his state (Kelantan) and continue to cooperate from here (as a Sultan) with the government, protecting and developing the country. The abdication came into effect immediately. It was the first of an Agong ever, the first one in Malaysia's post-independence history. Previously the only reason a King didn't complete his five-year term was his death in office.
AGONG MUHAMMAD V's REIGN:
Sultan Muhammad V's two-year reign (that begun on 13 December 2016) was the second shortest for a Yang di-Pertuan Agong (after Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah of Selangor, who died after just four months in office, back in 1960). But it has been too eventful enough. During its tenure the political course of Malaysia changed for the first time in decades, after Pakatan Harapan (PH) political party defeated the ruling Barisan National'sincumbent government in the national elections of 9 May 2018. Then the King causing controversy after delaying to swear in Mahathir Mohamad (then 92-year-old former Prime Minister, whose rift with some Malay monarchs back in 1980s &1990s was known) until the evening of Thursday, May 10. A similar case was also the delay to appoint the new government's Attorney General, who was not Malay Muslim in June. It finally happened after the government's lobby, with a two weeks' delay. However, among the former Agong's parts of positive legacy will be the full pardon he granted to former oppositional leader & political prisoner (by the previous government), Anwar Ibrahim. His wife, current Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was particularly thankful to Muhammad V for that. As Sultan he is also known for his austere way of life, familiarity to extreme sports & easy approach with ordinary people. Among other well remembered moments of his term as the 15th YDP Agong will be his phrase "please sit down and don't run away" to the ministers at this year's Parliament's opening, and his 10% pay-cut from salaries in solidarity with national debt, and the cancelation of some expensive nationwide festivities for his official birthday (with money going to charities) as well.
Private Life & Controversy:
Agong's resignation coincided with the 70th birthday of his mother, former Raja Perempuan of Kelantan, Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid. Within his royal family Sultan Muhammad has also been quite controversial sometimes. The 49-year-old Oxford graduate ruler (with islamic-oriented education) seized the Kelantan's throne (in 2010) following the deposition of his father (Sultan Ismail Petra), incapacitated from an illness, even though the latter resisted this decision of local Federal Council. Shortly into his reign as Sultan, Muhammad (whose full name is Muhammad Faris Petra) outsted his younger brother, Muhammad Fakhry Petra from Kelantan's Succession Council (that decides whether a Sultan should be installed), paving him the way to reign undisturbed. The fact that he succeeded the throne from a father alive, and was allowed to be elected as King, puts him to the exceptional record of the only (yet) reigning Yang di-Pertuan Agong with both living palace. He is also the youngest of current Malay monarchs, and the only Agong to have served without an official consort (Raja Permaisuri Agong). He was married to a member of Southern Thai royalty from 2004, but they divorced in 2008 without producing a heir. A lot of rumours were spread after King Muhammad V (who seeked a treatment leave abroad in the recent two months) reportedly married Oksana Voevodina, a Russian 'beauty Queen' and former Miss Moscow (2015) on November 22, last year. No official confirmation came from the national palace, while on His Majesty's return to public duties last week, speculations about his pending abdication begun to emerge (though unconfirmed). Nothing more is known for this case, but a curiosity about the evident connection of the Sultan's marriage and that the failure (or opposition by other royals) of promoting his new wife as a consort may have been the reason of his unprecendented abdication remain; despite the denial of all these by Kelantanese authorities (citting the King's own - unreported - reasons to give up the state leadership).
WHO IS THE NEXT???
Following the Agong's office was left vacant, an Acting King will fulfill his duties until his successor will be elected. It will be the Sultan of Perak and Deputy YDP Agong, Sultan Nazrin Shah to take this responsibility (he already performed a similar role during the recent Muhammad V's absence from Nov. 2 to Dec. 31, past year). The next day of the announcement (Monday, January 7, 2019,) six of the nine Malay monarchs had an "emergency meeting", where they decided the dates of the new King's election and accession. Sultan Muhammad V's successor as Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be known on January 24, taking the oath of office on January 31(, this year). Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad just wished the next Agong to be elected as soon as possible, though he promised not to be interferring (as this process is not a government's matter). Accodring to Malaysian states' rotation order (first established by the state rulers' seniority) the next candidate to the role of YDP Agong is Pahang's 88-year-old Sultan Ahmad Shah. However he has already served a full term (between 1979-84) and currently has serious age-related health issues. Having named his son & heir, Tengku Abdullah (59) as Regent two years ago, and being replaced in the most of major state ocassions by him ever since, some recent sources emerge, telling about the possibility of a pre-arranged Sultan's abdication in favor of his son - so Tengku Abdullah to become Sultan, paving him the way to be elected King and maintain the rotation system unchanged. Although no evident details of that have yer become public. The next-"in-line" to the YDP Agong's term in Johor' Sultan Ibrahim (60). A motocrade enthusiast and the wealthiest Malay Sultan (with an independent, sovereign-state-alike, royal court), he and members of his family have faced controversy in the past through their tentions with the current Prime Minister and abuse-related crimes, having avoided justice due to their status. But while Sultan Ibrahim is seen as a possible candidate, in the previous such Conference of Rulers (in 2016) he declined his candidacy, prefering the rotation system to follow strictly its line. It is not known whether this time he'll do the same. After Ibrahim, the potential "King-in-waiting" is Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak (62). Some do prefer him due to his western education, political experience, diplomacy and wide-horizontal views; however his choice would break down the usual rotation order. Whatsoever the result is, it will depend on the decision of the majority of Conference of Rulers.
MALAYSIAN MONARCHY:
Malaysia is the only constitutional monarchy, where the King is selected through this way and performs largely ceremonial duties for a five year term. He is elected by the Conference of Rulers, a body made up of the 13 heads of Malaysia's traditional federal states: nine of them are monarchs ( Sultans, a Raja/King and a "Yang di-Pertuan Besar"/Supreme Chief~), and the four others - governors (who can not participate in this election). They held official meetings about thrice a King's term, discussing important affairs regarding their positions and state leadership, within the King's ceremonial duties (as Head of state, Supreme Commander of the Military & Defender of Islam - the official religion of the nation). Ever since Malaysia became Independent (1957), the throne of its head of state is "exchanged" every five years between the nine traditional state's monarchs, in a special circle, initially arranged by State's seniority (and never broken out - as of yet). So every five years the nine monarchs select one of them (preferably accodring the traditional seniority line) as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and another (usually the "next-in-line") as his deputy, for a signle term. During its tenure he moves to capital Kuala Lumpur, exchanging the official functions as Head of state, is listed above everyone in hierarchy, enjoys the priviledge of a King and is replaced in his state by a Regent (or Regency Council). After his term expires, he returns to his state, continuing to reign as its monarch (Sultan, etc) with the Head's of state title used only posthumously. The YDP Agong may leave his office before the end of his term, through abdication, deposition, or death. Until now, only the last has happened a few times. In case the office of Agong becomes vacant, the Deputy assumes the duties of Acting head of state, and the Conference of rulers is obliged to select a successor within four weeks, changing the dates of the office' assume. A ceremonious installation is usually held within a few months (or a year) since the new YDP Agong has taken the oath of office. However it's up to him to decide. And while Malay monarchs enjoy a sublime moral authority and infalible by the state laws, with their traditions' preservation belonging to their authority, the system of that country is Constitutional monarchy and governments have the final say on the legal system each time.
Videos from Muhammad V's Reign & the current situation of future YDP Agong' candidates:
Previous publications, somehow related to this topic:
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/breaking-agong-returns-malaysias-royal.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR0VUTH96gyEND5vzxwN3L_tGcf0mwOMFQ1riE5AXdEgAcRQSPpDkxa5EVA
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/01/ydp-agongs-mother-turns-70-sunday.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR28jrWUBUJleJFJhpbxwMDYo7DWzvvrb6lJpCndp5dVrnuOzq9S8v0Fybs
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-new-raja-permaisuri-agong-malaysias.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR3k46aDSJo4Li1hzfAxcGEOCLBiM8utrvDm19AxSDkBUXCON_1nhxsiqFU
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/12/golden-wedding-of-kelantans-former.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR0PbQ6KrGEUBrfsnBATi0GN1-cobA5JO2pB7FRn-txjgmJhDHaEVI5kPwc
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2018/11/breaking-deputy-ydp-agong-appointed.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR1Jtqu8qDICRg0TTafyppdR3XVZEv39s5xJIXVIrHP6eLeHpZ4zmPT6WKo
Last Wednesday, January 2, 2019, an important, but unnoticed 75th birthday was quitely reached. Norodom Ranariddh, a Cambodian senior Prince & King's half-brother, whose long political career led him to become the country's Prime Minister and President of National Assembly, has not been seen in public ever since he was involved in a serious car-crash last June, which killed his wife. Ranariddh, who was challenging his old rival and current Prime Minister Hun Sen in July's national elections, is still influential in the royalist party FUNCINPEC he has led for many years, although in August he appoint his son as its acting leader, amid his recovery after the accident.
Prince Ranariddh was born in 1944 in capital Phnom Penh (Cambodia), to King & statesman Norodom Sihanouk and his first wife Phat Kanhol, a ballet dancer. His early life was spanned between Cambodia and France, while he was separated from his mother at the age of three, after his parents divorced. He has a full sister, Buppha Devi (also a dancer), and twelve other half-siblings (through his father's marriages), four of whom are currently alive. After finishing school in the early 1960s he studied law in France and reached the title of University academic, specializing in constitutional law and political sociology, by 1979. In early 1970 he briefly worked in the Cambodian Interior Ministry, but was captured and detained for several months with the rest of royal family (deposed in 1970) during Cambodian civil war. He left in 1973 and returned after the overthrew of Khmer Rouge regime (1979).
Ranariddh's Royal Arms
In 1981, his father established the MOULINAKA (Movement for the national Liberation of Cambodia - later to become FUNCINPEC), which joined a Coalition against the ruling communist People's Republic of Kampuchea. Ranariddh joined the movement in 1983, and evolved quickly in its hierarchy, commanding the Armée nationale sihanoukiste in 1986, and becoming FUNCINPEC's Secretary General in 1989, and President in 1992. In 1993 monarchy in Cambodia was restored, with Sihanouk becoming King again for the first time since 1955 (and Head of state for another time, after 1970). That year, general elections were held (first time since 1981), where FUNCIPEC (National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful & Cooperative Cambodia) joined as a political party. It won the elections, and formed a Coalition with the ruling Cambodian People's Party, with Norodom Ranariddh becoming First Prime Minister, while the CPP's Hun Sen (governing since 1985), holding an equal rank, that of "Second Prime Minister". They shared power until 1997.
As First Prime Minister
During his tenure as Prime Minister, Prince Ranariddh made efforts to achieve economic growth, bysiness development, and Cambodia's gradual integration to the global community. Under his Premiership the Cambodian Development Council (CDC)was established, and the nation's participation in billateral organisations with regional countries (like the ASEAN) was promoted. However from 1996 his relations with Hun Sen deteriorated. Issues like construction projects' implementation, poverty, development contracts, and alliances with Khmer Rouge in the past, led both heads of government to serious contradistinction and public conflict. After the situation caused bloody clashed between troops supporting one or another side in July 1997, Norodom Ranariddh was forced to exile, being deposed the next month from the Prime Minister's position. It was considered by western media as a coup by 'strongman' Hun Sen, in order to regain his power of state leadership.
Hun Sen
National Assembly' emblem
In 1998 Ranariddh returned and led his party towards that year's general elections. He lost to Hun Sen's CPP, and while initially challenged the results, finally FUNCIPEC joined again the government as a junior coalition's party, with Ranariddh being appointed as President of the National Assembly. From 1993, the Prince was seen as a valid candidate to succeed his ageing father on Cambodia's throne. The King's role (from 1993) became mostly symbolic and ceremonial. Ranariddh rejected this notion more than once, citing his political career as the vast priority (even though he was seen more receptive to this idea in the late 1990s). Is September 2004, his father & stepmother (Queen Norodom Minineath) offered him the throne in future, but he declined, suggesting their son (& his half-brother), Prince Norodom Sihamoni, would be the most appropriate candidate. After King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated in October 2004, Ranariddh participated in the nine member throne council (for the choose of new monarch), which unanimously selected Sihamoni (a Czech-educated classical dance instructor & cultural ambassador in Europe,) as the next King (with 100% of vote in favour).
NRP's Seal
In March 2006 Ranariddh resigned from the National Assembly's headship, amid new ongoing tensions with Hun Sen and a controversial extramarital affair with Apsala (traditional Buddhist & Hindu) dancer, Ouk Phalla (later to become his wife). After new anti-adultery laws were passed later that year, Norodom Ranariddh was dismissed from FUNCINPEC's presidency in October, retaining only the honorary title of "Historic President". He then founded the centre-right Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP), that participated in 2008 elections, but won only two seats in the National Assembly. Leading up to this, in the meantime, new accusations of embezzlement and adultery, made against him, forced Ranariddh into another exile. Then in 2007, he was officially convinced in absentia of embezzlement, and sentenced to 1 1/2 years of imprisonment. The prince though decided to spend this time abroad, and finally returned in September 2008, after receiving a royal pardon, and soon afterwards, announced his retirement from politics.
At his father, King Norodom Sihanouk's state funeral (2013)
Nevertheless, Prince Norodom Ranariddh did not disappear from the political scene in the last ten years. He made some notable comebacks. In December 2010 he joined again his NRP party and regained its leadership. He tried to unite it with FUNCINPEC, but failed and retired again. In March 2014 Ranariddh launched the Community of Royalist People's Party (CRPP), a royalist party with more liberal signs and inspiration from the leadership's legacy of his father (deceased in 2012). In January 2015, however, he dissolved CRPP and returned to FUNCINPEC, being reappointed its president (after eight years). He remained actively engaged in his party's campaign against the ruling Cambodian People's Party, until he was seriously injured in a car accident on 17 June 2018, en route to Sihanoukville province. His second wife, Ouk Phalla, died from her injuries (with members of FUNCINPEC accusing Hun Sen's government having caused this accident to take Ranariddh "out of the picture"). Norodom Ranariddh himself was transported to hospitals in capital Phnom Penh and in Thailand, where he is said to have been recovering ever since. Although he was not yet seen in public after this, he issued a statement in August, appointing his elder son, Norodom Chakravuth, as the Acting President of FUNCINPEC (which not unexpectably gained low results in 2018's elections), and another member as its Secretary General, showing a gradual pass over of his positions to the younger generation.
CRPP's Seal
Norodom Chakravuth
Norodom Eng Marie
Ranariddh met and married his first wife, Eng Marie (b. 1947), in 1968. She comes from a Cambodian family, that held some official & ministerial posts in the past. Together they had three children: Prince Chakravuth (b. 1970), Prince Sihariddh (b. 1972), and Princess Rattana Devi (b. 1974). Marie became the First Lady of Cambodia during her husband's Premiership (1993-1997), and has been the President of Cambodia's Red Cross (1994-98). Ranariddh met the Cambodian classical dancer, Ouk Phalla (b.1979, d.2018) in early 2000s, when he was producing and directing a 90-minute film (about Cambodia's tradition), titled Raja Bori, in which she participated. Their affair became gradually known after she gave birth to their first son, and led to rumours that Phalla was lobbying the Prince, so to appoint her family members into high political positions. That may have paved the way to Hun Sen's government for further accusations, that finally led Ranariddh to resignation from the National Assembly' Presidency & deposition from FUNCINPEC's leadership in 2006. The same year PrincessEng Marie filled for divorce, which was finalised in 2010. Thence he married Ouk Phalla and made her a Princess. Together they had two sons (Sothearidh, b. 2003 & Ranavong, b. 2011,) before her tragic death last year.
Norodom Ranariddh with Princess Norodom Ouk Phalla Ranariddh
With his father (in front)
Prince Norodom Ranariddh has been known for his physical resemblance to his father, King Nodorom Sihanouk, which he may have used to gain support in his political career, though as he has stated himself, feels it "rather (like) a burden", comprising responsibility not to fail in keeping the former's legacy high. He holds a dual (Cambodian & French) citizenship, and speaks fluently Khmer, English & Cambodian languages. He enjoys music & films, though believes that he lacks the artistic talent of his late father. A major Royal, politician & law academic, he is surely a remarkable person of his time, with his legacy being already "engraved" in Cambodian modern history... at least!!.
Video from his 1998 return to Cambodia:
Further links of information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norodom_Ranariddh
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FUNCINPEC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Cambodia#Arm%C3%A9e_nationale_sihanoukiste
https://asean.org/?static_post=statement-by-his-royal-highness-samdech-krom-preah-norodom-ranariddh-the-first-prime-minister-of-kingdom-of-cambodia
https://www.webcitation.org/6aqGE14Wm?url=https://www.cambodiadaily.com/stories-of-the-month/throne-council-selects-sihamoni-to-be-the-next-king-393/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norodom_Ranariddh_Party
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_of_Royalist_People%27s_Party
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44511982
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ranariddh-appoints-his-son-leader-funcinpec-amid-medical-treatment
https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K1HRGKYC8DT.
