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 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia's 13th king formally ascended the throne Thursday, pledging to reign wisely and safeguard the sanctity of Islam in a ceremony marked by traditional Malay rites and imperial pageantry.
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, wearing a regal black jacket embroidered in gold thread and a belt buckle decorated with rubies, was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong — the Malay title for the king.
The hourlong ceremony — celebrated with a national holiday for government offices and banks — was punctuated by the blare of trumpets, a 21-gun salute and shouts of "Daulat Tuanku!" — or "Long Live the King!"
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