By Mete Erdurcan and Baron Henri Estramant.
9 March 2015, His Conqueror Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (b. 28 November 1927) opened the third session of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.
Tuanku Abdul Halim is the 14th “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” (Paramount Ruler of Malaysia) since 13 December 2011, concurrently holds the position of Sultan of Kedah, though he does not exercise regal prerogatives in the State of Kedah whilst holding the headship of state.
The Federation of Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy having with an elected monarch rotating amongst the nine hereditary rulers of Malaysia as Head of State; the “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” (literally “He who is made Lord”). The office was established in 1957 when Malaysia became independent from the United Kingdom.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku held a speech at the opening of the 13th parliamentary sitting. In his opening statement he called on the public to reject religious extremism, specifically naming the Islamic State (IS) terror group.
