What to Know About Malaysia’s Rotational Monarchy and Its Latest King

Malaysia’s former King Abdullah Sultan Ahmad ascended the throne only in 2019. But under the country’s unique rotational monarchy, it was soon time for him to make way for a new head of state. The country’s Conference of Rulers voted in a new king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, on Oct. 27 and he was crowned on Jan. 31. Here’s what to know about Malaysia’s one-of-a-kind system.

Malaysia’s rotational monarchy is composed of the hereditary rulers of nine Malay states. The positions of king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and deputy king are passed among the nine, with each serving a term of five years. The king resides at the national palace in the capital Kuala Lumpur while in office. The crown has so far seen a regular order of rotation, which led to the royal families choosing Sultan Ibrahim of Johor state as its next king. Johor, located at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, has a causeway link to Singapore that is one of the world’s busiest land crossings.