The rulers held a special meeting at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur this morning following Sultan Muhammad V's resignation as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

According to reports, it is believed the state monarchs met to choose a date for the Conference of Rulers to convene again to elect the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Until then, Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah, who is the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, would serve as acting king.

Of the nine rulers, only six were present a this morning's meeting – Raja Perlis Syed Sirajudin Syed Putra Jamalullail, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (Terengganu), Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (Johor), Sultan Sallehuddin Shah (Kedah), Sultan Nazrin and Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

NST Online reported that since Sultan Muhammad V's resignation, which was announced yesterday, was unprecedented, the Conference of Rulers must hold an unscheduled election within four weeks (based on requirements dictated by the office of the Keeper of the Royal Seal).

Sultan Muhammad V was elected by the Conference of Rulers as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 13, 2016. His tenure was scheduled to end in 2021.

Article 32(3) of the Federal Constitution states: "The Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be elected by the Conference of Rulers for the term of five years, but may at any time resign from his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Conference of Rulers or be removed from office by the Conference of Rulers and shall cease to hold office on ceasing to be a ruler."

Meanwhile, Article 33(3) states that "if during the term the deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong was elected and a vacancy occurs in the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong his term shall expire on the cessation of the vacancy".

The Third Schedule lists the procedures to the election for the post of the new Agong and his deputy, the qualifications and that this is done by secret ballot among the nine Malay rulers.

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