Tuanku Abdul Halim is the newly-crowned 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.(AP Photo, Vincent Thian)

Malaysia's new King Sultan Abdul Halim, third right in front, inspects an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The 84-year-old sultan became the oldest constitutional monarch in this Southeast Asian nation's history.
This is the first time a Malaysian ruler has ever been the national monarch twice. Tuanku Abdul Halim's first term as Agong was from 1970 to 1975 in his forties. At the time, he was among the youngest Malay rulers to have been appointed to the post of Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Tuanku Abdul Halim's term as Agong succeeds the five year term of Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who returned to his home state after a farewell ceremony at Parliament on Monday.
Tuanku Abdul Halim is the oldest Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, crowned at the age of 84.(AP Photo, Vincent Thian)

Malaysia's new King Sultan Abdul Halim inspects an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The 84-year-old sultan became the oldest constitutional monarch in this Southeast Asian nation's history.


On Tuesday, Tuanku Abdul Halim became the oldest King, surpassing the age of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz of Selangor who was 73 years old when he was crowned Agong in 1999. The crowning ceremony on Tuesday was the first to be held at the new Istana Negara on Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.
Famous for his passion for jazz music, particularly the works of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole, Tuanku Abdul Halim's interests also include golf and football.
Tuanku Abdul Halim and his consort, Tuanku Haminah Hamidun.(AP Photo, Vincent Thian)

Malaysia's new King Sultan Abdul Halim, front left, Queen Haminah stand on the red carpet during a welcoming ceremony at the Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The 84-year-old sultan became the oldest constitutional monarch in this Southeast Asian nation's history.

His consort Tuanku Haminah Hamidun is also the Sultanah of Kedah, a title she has carried since the death of Tuanku Abdul Halim's first wife Sultanah Bahiyah Tuanku Abdul Rahman in 2003. Prior to that, Tuanku Haminah was the Che Puan Kedah. They have no children together, although Tuanku Abdul Halim and the late Sultanah Bahiyah have one daughter, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, and two adopted children, Tunku Sarina and Tunku Soraya.
Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Haminah Hamidun inspecting the guard of honor.(AP Photo, Vincent Thian)

Malaysia's new King Sultan Abdul Halim, front, and Queen Haminah step down from the dais after a welcoming ceremony at the Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The 84-year-old sultan became the oldest constitutional monarch in this Southeast Asian nation's history.

The 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been described by close friends and family as being a man of humility and introspective gentle nature, never raising his voice in anger. Tuanku Abdul Halim is also noted to be a devoutly religious Muslim, keeping close to his heart his ceremonial role as the protector of Islam in Malaysia.