Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s King, Muhmmad V, has abdicated, royal officials said Sunday, ending weeks of speculation about his future after he took a leave of absence and amid rumors he married a Russian former beauty queen.
Sultan Muhammad V’s decision marks the first time a king has abdicated in the Muslim-majority country since it gained independence from Britain in 1957.
“The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective January 6,” said a statement from the palace.
It did not give any reason for the 49-year-old royal’s move. But there had been a question mark over the reign of the king, who ascended to the throne in December 2016, since he took a leave of absence for medical treatment in November, according to AFP.
News reports then circulated online that he had married a former Miss Moscow in Russia — although royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumors.
Reports that the king married former Miss Moscow, Oksana Voevodina, 25, surfaced in November 2018. According to reports, she had converted to Islam in April 2018 before tying the knot to the 49-year-old Malaysian monarch.
Speculation intensified about his future this week when the country’s Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.
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