malaysian state choses new sultan , expected to be elected king

Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian state announced it had a new sultan Saturday, who is expected to be elected after the former monarch abdicated after his reported marriage to a Russian former beauty queen. Tengku Abdullah Shah replaced his father, Sultan Ahmad Shah as the ruler of Pahang state, the official Bernama news agency said, citing a senior palace official. Local reports said the move was designed to pave the way for Sultan Abdullah to be elected next next of the Malaysia by the Council of Rulers, who will chose a new king on January 24.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with a unique arrangement where the national throne changes hands every five years between the rulers of the country's nine states. Pahang state is the next ruler. Sultan Muhammad V abdicated unexpectedly after just two years of rule, following reports that he married an ex-beauty queen in Russia in November during a purported two-month medical leave.

The abdication was the first for the country since its independence from the British rule in 1957. Royal officials have not commented on the reported wedding, or said what condition prompted the former king to take the leave. Sultan Abdullah Shah, 59, is a popular figure in the sports scene and is currently president of the Asian Hockey Federation and a council member of football's world governing body, FIFA.

While their role is ceremonial, Malaysia's royalty command is a great respect, especially from Malaysia's predominantly Muslim Malays, and criticizing them is considered as as offensive. Portraits of the king and queen adorn government buildings throughout the country. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.

Malaysia's sultans trace a lineage back to the Malay sultanates of the 15th century. The king is referred to as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or "He Who Is Made Lord