New National Palace Hosts Malaysia's King's Birthday Saturday

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah's birthday celebrations Saturday will, for the first time, be held at the new Istana Negara (National Palace) in Jalan Duta here. Tuanku Abdul Halim was the first ruler to be installed as the Malaysia's King, the 14th, at the new national palace in a ceremony steeped in royal traditions in April. The historic installation saw His Majesty re-elected as the country's head of state under a rotation system where the nine hereditary Malay rulers take turns to be the Malaysia's King for a five-year term each. Tuanku Abdul Halim was installed as the King, the fifth, for the first time at the age of 42 in 1970, and four decades later as the 14th King at the age of 84. This time, the National Palace will once again play host to another celebration steeped in tradition in conjunction with Tuanku Abdul Halim's birthday. The Malaysia's King birthday is officially celebrated on the first Saturday of June, regardless of the Malay ruler's actual date of birth. This year, the first Saturday falls on June 2. The birthday celebrations began on Thursday night with a 'Yasin' recital and prayers at the National Mosque. Saturday, the events will start in the morning with a trooping of the colours at the Sungai Besi army camp, followed by the paying of homage and an investiture at the National Palace. This is the first time that the investiture will be held at the National Palace's Throne Room which can accommodate 1,000 people. A royal tea reception will be held on Sunday at the National Palace, and is expected to be attended by about 3,000 people. -- BERNAMA