Sultan Muhammad V has become the first king in Malaysia's history to abdicate, ending speculation following a two-month leave of absence for medical treatment. "The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective January 6," the royal palace said in a statement Sunday. The palace did not give a reason for the 49-year-old monarch stepping down, but photos emerged late last year of Sultan Muhammad V's marriage in Russia to 25-year-old model Oksana Voevodina, Miss Moscow 2015.
The king's abdication isn't expected to have much effect in Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy where most of the power is wielded by the prime minister. Sultan Muhammed V, elevated to the throne in December 2016, also only had three years left in his reign; under Malaysia's unique monarchy, the throne is rotated every five years among the Muslim country's nine royal houses. His replacement will be selected by the Council of Rulers, made up of the nine sultanates.
Malaysia's prime minister is currently Mahathir Mohamed, 92, whose coalition toppled the longtime ruling United Malays National Organization last May. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested months later, charged with money laundering and other charges stemming from scandal-plagued state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd., or 1MDB.
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