KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s king has abdicated, royal officials said onSunday, ending weeks of speculation about his future after he took a leaveof absence and amid rumours he married a Russian former beauty queen.

Sultan Muhammad V’s decision marks the first time a king has abdicated inthe Muslim-majority country since it gained independence from Britain in1957.[image: Royal wedding: Oksana Voevodina, 25, married Malaysia’s Muhammad Vof Kelantan, 49, in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in the Russian capitallast week. PHOTO COURTESY: DAILYMAIL]

Royal wedding: Oksana Voevodina, 25, married Malaysia’s Muhammad V ofKelantan, 49, in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in the Russian capitallast week. PHOTO COURTESY: DAILYMAIL

“The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th kingeffective January 6,” said a statement from the palace.

It did not give any reason for the 49-year-old royal’s move.

But there had been a question mark over the reign of the king, who ascendedto the throne in December 2016, since he took a leave of absence formedical treatment in November.[image: New image: Ms Voevodina, pictured with her new husband, convertedto Islam last year. PHOTO COURTESY: DAILYMAIL]

New image: Ms Voevodina, pictured with her new husband, converted to Islamlast year. PHOTO COURTESY: DAILYMAIL

Reports then circulated online that he had married a former Miss Moscow inRussia — although royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented onthe rumours.

Speculation intensified about his future this week when the country’sIslamic royals reportedly held a special meeting. – APP/AFP