By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia has appointed northeast Kelantan state’s ruler, Sultan Muhammad V, as the country’s new king, effective Dec. 12.

Sultan Muhammad will replace the current king, the ruler of northern Kedah state Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, once his five-year term ends that same day.

In Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy, the throne rotates among the rulers of nine peninsular states, with every term lasting five years.

According to a statement by the Royal Seals' Keeper, a special Conference of Rulers convened Friday in the National Palace to decide the next king via secret ballot.

Sultan Muhammad, 47, received his early education in Kelantan before continuing his studies at the Alice Smith International School in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

He later finished his studies in 1989 at the Oakham School Rutland in the United Kingdom before receiving his tertiary education in diplomatic research at the St Cross College in Oxford and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, graduating in 1991.

The king to-be is known to be an avid reader as well as a motor-racing enthusiast, having taken part in four-wheel drive expeditions and endurance riding.

He also loves archery as well as bowling and is said to have “a soft spot” for cats, horses and birds.