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| Malaysia's new king takes office | Malaysia's new king takes office |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Malaysia has enthroned its 13th king at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur, in a ceremony steeped in Malay tradition. | |
| Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, 45, was sworn in to the post in December, as King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin's five-year term as monarch ended. | Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, 45, was sworn in to the post in December, as King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin's five-year term as monarch ended. |
| The stock market is closed and civil servants are having the day off. | The stock market is closed and civil servants are having the day off. |
| Under Malaysia's rotational monarchy, the heads of each of the nine hereditary states occupy the throne for five years. | |
| The king's role is largely ceremonial, with power in the hands of parliament and the prime minister. | The king's role is largely ceremonial, with power in the hands of parliament and the prime minister. |
| Malaysia is the only country in the world to have a rotating monarchy. | Malaysia is the only country in the world to have a rotating monarchy. |
| Malay pageantry | Malay pageantry |
| The king, known as Yang di-Pertuan Agong or He Who Is Made Lord, formally took office at a ceremony in the throne room of the national palace. | The king, known as Yang di-Pertuan Agong or He Who Is Made Lord, formally took office at a ceremony in the throne room of the national palace. |
| Sultan Mizan, pictured with Queen Nur, will rule for five yearsThe sultan is the former ruler of the oil-rich Terengganu state, which sent a royal court orchestra to play traditional music during the ceremony. | |
| The king - dressed in a black ceremonial robe embroidered in gold and royal headdress - and his queen, Nur Zahirah, were seated on the thrones. | The king - dressed in a black ceremonial robe embroidered in gold and royal headdress - and his queen, Nur Zahirah, were seated on the thrones. |
| Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi proclaimed Sultan Mizan the 13th king, before an audience of the country's other sultans and government ministers. | Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi proclaimed Sultan Mizan the 13th king, before an audience of the country's other sultans and government ministers. |
| Sultan Mizan was then presented with the royal long dagger - a symbol of power and authority - which the king drew and kissed. | Sultan Mizan was then presented with the royal long dagger - a symbol of power and authority - which the king drew and kissed. |
| He pledged to rule fairly, uphold the Islamic faith and ensure just government. A 21-gun salute followed. | |
| Sultan Mizan is one of the youngest heads of state Malaysia has ever had - and he is already making changes, the BBC's Jonathan Kent in Kuala Lumpur says. | |
| Royal functions will now finish by 2230, so people can get to bed early. | |
| The new king is known to enjoy sports more than parties, is a keen horseman and enjoys a round of golf, our correspondent adds. |