His Majesty Mizan Zainal Abidin the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. (Photo from Wikipedia)
Today, June 5th, is a national holiday for the King of Malaysia's birthday. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Malaysia), Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy, in which the King is head of state and the Prime Minister of Malaysia is the head of government.
The formal title for the King of Malaysia is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong which translates as "He who is made Lord" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertuan_Agong). Unlike most monarchies here the title of King is passed from generation to generation, Malaysia has an elected monarchy. Each five years the new King is elected by and from the nine leaders of states that had hereditary rulers (the other four states that lacked hereditary leaders can never provide the King). Once elected, the King serves for a 5 year term.
The current Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu, who became King in 2006.
I will have to wait and see what sorts of activities take place as part of the birthday celebration today.
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