Sultan Muhammad V of Malaysia resigns from Kingship

Malaysia's 15th King, Sultan Muhammad V, resigned from Kingship on Sunday.

ChannelNews Asia quoted Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz as saying that in a letter sent to the Secretary of the Conference of Rulers the king had officially announced his abdication to the ministry officials.

"In discharging the wishes of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, Istana Negara hereby announces that His Majesty is abdicating as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong effective Jan 6, 2019, pursuant to Article 32 (3) of the Federal Constitution," Aziz said.

Aziz stated that Sultan Muhammad V was elected as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on December 13, 2016.

In his letter, the King also expressed his gratitude towards Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, along with other officials, for helping him in ruling the country.

"During his tenure as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty worked to fulfill his responsibilities and the trust placed in him as the head of state, serving as the pillar of stability, the source of justice and as an umbrella of the solidarity and unity of the people," Aziz added.

"His Majesty hopes that all Malaysians will continue to stay united, tolerant and in agreement in shouldering the responsibility to safeguard the country's sovereignty so that Malaysia will remain in peace and harmony," the Comptroller of the Royal Household further added.

Earlier this week, the Malaysian Prime Minister dismissed reports about the abdication of the Malaysian King, noting that the latter was supposed to resume his duties from the New Year after being on leave for a span of two months till December 31.

"I didn't receive letters or any official indication about anything. So I am not going to talk about it," the Malaysian Prime Minister said during a press conference on Friday.

In November last year, the 49-year-old King had married a Russian beauty queen, holding the title of Miss Moscow 2015. Despite photos of the wedding having gone viral, the Malaysian Prime Minister stated that he did not have any official confirmation regarding the wedding.