KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — On July 20, all eyes will be on Istana Negara as Malaysia marks a historic moment in its constitutional monarchy with the coronation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as 17th King of Malaysia.
Preparations are being meticulously done to ensure the ceremony, which will highlight the uniqueness of the monarchy system in Malaysia, runs smoothly.
Istana Negara Grand Chamberlain Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini said preparations began six months ago.
“Our country was built with such a strong civilisation and on the glorious history of the constitutional monarchy, and since our country’s independence, we have not stopped celebrating such an important ceremony, which is the coronation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“For such a glorious and historic ceremony, the preparations take some time. We started as soon as Sultan Ibrahim took the oath of office on January 31,” he said.
Azuan Effendy said with the ceremony, Malaysia can showcase the Malay Sultanate to the world, as Malaysia is the only country that practises the unique system of rotational monarchy.
He said about 2,000 people are involved in ensuring the smooth running of the ceremony, comprising not only Istana Negara staff, but various other departments and agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Public Works Department.
The Grand Chamberlain, who has been involved in the coronation of five Malaysian kings, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil was appointed chairman of the Special Committee for the King’s Coronation Events.
He said he and Fahmi, along with Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, Prime Minister’s Department senior deputy secretary-general and Coronation Committee chairman Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, and government chief protocol officer Datuk Rozainor Ramli, were responsible to seek audiences with all Malay rulers and governors to present the royal invitation to the ceremony.
“This royal invitation is a tradition (of the Malay Sultanate). It is written by hand in Jawi script, placed in a special capsule to be presented to Malay rulers and heads of state,” he said.
Azuan Effendy, the youngest-ever Grand Chamberlain, said the main challenge in ensuring a smooth event is punctuality.
“The arrival of each Malay ruler is within a two-minute interval followed by the ‘pecah bendera’ ceremony. Each one must be carried out in just two minutes, so we have to make sure everything is on time, so everything planned can be executed accurately and perfectly,” he said.
The “pecah bendera” ceremony is part of the royal protocol where the personal standard of each ruler is hoisted to mark their presence.
Azuan Effendy said Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa have confirmed their attendance, in addition to 700 other guests, including foreign envoys and dignitaries as well as representatives of government agencies.
Male guests from Johor will don the Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga with songkok, he said.
Azuan Effendy said His Majesty will wear a muskat, which is the royal attire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with a tengkolok, pending and keris, while Queen of Malaysia, Raja Zarith Sofiah will wear attire prepared by a prominent local designer.
Azuan Effendy said events held in conjunction with the ceremony will begin on July 18, with a yasin recital and doa selamat at the National Mosque, followed by a special Friday sermon on July 19 that will explain and remind all Muslims about the importance of the constitutional monarchy.
“Mosques in the Federal Territories and states not ruled by royalty will use the text provided, while other states are subject to the consent of their rulers,” he said.
A royal dinner is also to be held at Istana Negara after the coronation.
Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah is set to visit the Orang Asli Hospital in Gombak on July 23, while on July 25, a Raja Kita Exhibition will be held at the National Museum, which will display His Majesty’s personal belongings, including identification cards and a collection of pens.
Coronation-related events will end with a royal tea reception on July 27.
— Bernama
