Majestic and spanking new, Istana Negara on Jalan Duta will be the venue for the swearing-in ceremony. Members of the Royal Malay Regiment First Battalion hoisted the personal flag of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Nov 15. – Bernamapic
THE majestic new Istana Negara on Jalan Duta will today bear witness to the swearing-in of the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The ceremony, which is steeped in the tradition of the Malay custom, will be held for the first time at the new palace. As the official residence of the country's Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, the palace, which sits on a sprawling 97.65ha plot of land in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, is built in rich Islamic and traditional Malay architectural style.
The 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who completes his term today, is the first monarch to occupy the new Istana that was officially opened on Nov 11.Among others, the palace has two large domes, which are adorned with light bulbs designed in the outline of an overlapping betel leaf that will illuminate the night with different colours. The colour of the lights will be according to the type of formal events held that day.
A 40m-high dome above the main lobby in the palace is hung with the largest chandelier made in Malaysia.Eight large paintings, depicting the history of the country from the Malacca Sultanate to the current era, decorate the giant pillars supporting the main dome.Every room and hall in the Istana is specially designed to accommodate specific functions.The palace complex, which boasts a total of 22 domes, is divided into formal, royal and administrative wings.
The formal wing houses, among others, the balairong seri, where the swearing-in of the King takes place, the audience and banquet halls.The royal wing, comprising bedrooms and other facilities, are designed for use by the Agong, his Queen and other members of the royal family.
The palace also comes equipped with a surau to accommodate 1,000 people, a swimming pool, a security office, a visitors' square, an underground carpark, a treatment room, a multi-purpose hall, a sports field, a helipad, and a horse stable.It will also have lifts and escalators.
The Istana is accessible via three gates the Duta Gate for the royalty, the Jalan Changkat Semantan Gate for guests and the Jalan Sri Hartamas Gate for the rakyat and for invited to events.
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