Malaysia names Terengganu state ruler as new king

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Reuters) Malaysia's royalty today named Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin as the country's new king, replacing outgoing Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a statement the new king and his deputy, Tuanku Abdul Halim of the northern Kedah state, would serve five-year terms from this December 13.

The new monarch, 44, attended Britain's Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and served as a land administrator before succeeding his late father as ruler of the oil- and gas-rich northeastern state of Terengganu.

He will be Malaysia's 13th king, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, since the country gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Malaysia's hereditary Malay rulers chose Sultan Mizan at a special meeting at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. Seven of the nine rulers attended the meeting.

Under a rotation system of selection unique to Malaysia, the rulers take turns to ascend the national throne.

Though the monarch is nominally the head of government, his powers are largely ceremonial. He is also nominal head of the armed forces and all laws and the appointment of every cabinet minister require his assent.

REUTERS SY KP1448