Date Set For Election Of New Malaysian King

Heads of Malaysia's nine royal households will meet on January 24 to elect a new king from among them after the surprise resignation of King Muhammad V, an official said on Monday.

Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, the keeper of the ruler's seal, made the announcement at a meeting between six of the households on Monday morning in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

It was not clear why representatives from the other three royal households did not attend the meeting at the national palace, where it was decided that the new king will be sworn in on January 31.

King Muhammad abdicated on Sunday after just two years on the throne, the first time a monarch has stepped down before completing their five-year tenure. No reason was given for the resignation.