Malaysia’s King Muhammad V abdicated on Sunday, the palace said, after two years on the throne, the first time a monarch has stepped down before completing their five-year tenure. A week ago, the king, 49, had resumed duties after spending two months on medical leave. However, the king’s assent is needed before the appointment of a prime minister or senior public officials. The palace statement said the king, who took the throne in December 2016, was grateful for the opportunity given to him by the Council of Rulers and thanked the prime minister and government for their cooperation during his rule. The king eventually approved the appointment, though the incident had stoked racial tensions.

Source: Indian Express January 06, 2019 12:22 UTC