Malaysian King Resigns to Marry Russian Beauty
Sultan Muhammad V’s has ascended the throne in December 2016. Later news reports and photographs appeared to show him marrying a former Miss Moscow in the Russian capital.
Malaysia’s king has abdicated the throne, amidst rumours about his marriage to a Russian former beauty queen, Oksana Voevodina. Sultan Muhammad V’s decision to abdicate his crown and throne also marks the first time a king has renounced everything in the Muslim majority country since it achieved independence from Britain in the year 1957, more than 60 years ago.
Meanwhile, the National Palace has informed the general public issuing a statement, which read, “The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective January 6. His majesty tells the people of Malaysia to continue to be united to maintain unity, tolerance, and work together”. Though it did not give any specific reason behind the move by the 49-year-old King.
Sultan Muhammad V’s has ascended the throne in December 2016. He took a leave for medical treatment in November last year. Later news reports and photographs appeared to show him marrying a former Miss Moscow in the Russian capital. No royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the issue, apart from the statement.
The speculation intensified after rumours about the king’s marriage without anyone’s knowledge led the country’s Islamic royals to hold a special meeting and decide on the next step.
Sultan may serve as an acting king before the Council of Rulers selects a new monarch. Muhammad V, has already garnered a reputation for having relatively youthful interests. He is keen on extreme sports like off-road driving, shooting and endurance challenges.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a special arrangement, where the throne changes hands every five years between the rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty. But the royalty in Malaysia is largely ceremonial, with more powers rest on the hands of the Parliament and the Prime Minister. Still, the role of the king accords considerable prestige in the Malay Muslim majority nation, where the king is seen as someone who upholds the Malay and Islamic tradition.
The present Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the oldest Prime Minister of the world, returned to office in a surprise election victory last May, has a difficult relationship with the Royals during his previous governments, because he had attempted to limit their power and authority. Last week also, he warned that the law must bind all Malaysians, whatever may be their status.
