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Malaysia

Malaysia elects new monarch

Malaysia has elected its next monarch.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, 64, from the state of Johor, was elected by the Malaysian royal families for a five-year term.

The Sultan will begin his tenure as King of Malaysia on 31 January 2024. He will take over for King Abdullah, who was from the state of Pahang.

Malaysia has a unique system for the title of King. The heads of the nine royal families in the country take turns reigning as monarchs.

The country is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia.

The King-elect has been outspoken on politics and received military training in the United States. He’s been married to Raja Zarith Sofiah since 1982. She is known to promote the use of English in Malaysia.

The couple have six children, one of whom, Tunku Abdul Jalil, died in 2015.

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About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.