Regal Send-off For Malaysia's 16th King And Queen

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s 16th King, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah received a regal send-off at the Parliament Square Tuesday morning, marking the end of Their Majesties’ reign.

The royal couple arrived at Parliament Square to the strains of the ‘nafiri’ (trumpets) played by 22 members of the army's Ceremonial Mounted Squadron.

The Majesties were welcomed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Deputy Prime Ministers Dr Ahmad Zahid and Fadillah Yusof.

Their Majesties were escorted to the Royal Dais, walked past by the lance-bearers, to receive the Royal Salute by the main guard-of-honour before the national anthem was played by the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Simultaneously, the Royal Standard of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was lowered, followed by a 21-gun salute by the 41 Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial).

Al Sultan then inspected the main guard of honour mounted by 103 members and four officers from the 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment.

The state event proceeded with the recital of a prayer before the main guard of honour performed the Royal Salute, and the national anthem was played for the second time.

Their Majesties then shook hands to bid farewell to the members of the Cabinet, lawmakers, heads of government departments and agencies as well as foreign diplomatic corps.

At 9.20 am (Malaysian time), Their Majesties continued their journey to the Bunga Raya Complex of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)  before departing for their home state of Pahang on a special aircraft.

As the motorcade of Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah proceeded along the Parliament Road, over 3,000 people from all walks of life, including civil servants and private sector employees, lined both sides of the road to bid farewell to Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah.

Under Malaysia's unique rotational system, the nine hereditary Malay rulers take turns to become the Yang di- Pertuan Agong for a five-year duration.

Al-Sultan Abdullah's place will be taken over by the ruler from the southern state of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar effective Jan 31.

-- BERNAMA