Malaysian king resigns after marrying Russian beauty queen

Reports circulate online that Sultan Muhammad V married former Miss Moscow in Russia

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

Sultan Muhammad V's decision marks the first time a king has abdicated in the Muslim-majority country since it gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Royal wedding: Oksana Voevodina, 25, married Malaysia's Muhammad V of Kelantan, 49, in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in the Russian capital last week. PHOTO COURTESY: DAILYMAIL

"The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective 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 ascended to the throne in December 2016, since he took a leave of absence for medical treatment in November.

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

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

Speculation intensified about his future this week when the country's Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting.

The Malaysian ruler - an elected monarch who has been on the throne since 2016 succeeding his father - has not disclosed how he and the model (pictured) met. PHOTO COURTESY: DAILYMAIL

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.