The regalia of Malaysia (Malay: Alat-alat Kebesaran Diraja Malaysia; Jawi: الت٢ كبسرن دراج مليسيا) includes all the items which are deemed sacred and symbolic of the supremacy and authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Supreme King of Malaysia and his consort, the Raja Permaisuri Agong. The installation of the Supreme King is a very special ceremony. Only on this particular day are the masses able to see his regalia. Several of these are Malaysian National Treasures since 2009.
The Throne
The Thrones at Istana Negara's Balairong Seri (Throne Room) is crafted to blend motifs from Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak.
The primary element is gold, to add regality and an imperial aura, and all designs point upwards to indicate that all beings are created by Allah.
Tengkolok Diraja (Royal headdress) According to Malay legend, the first Sultan of Perak, Sultan Muzaffar Shah I Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Shah (1528–1549) set sail to Perak to establish the Perak Sultanate. Sultan Muzaffar was a descendant of the Malacca Sultanate, and was exiled to Johor by the Portuguese. He carried on his ship many of the regalia of Malacca, including the Royal Crown of Malacca.
During his journey, his ship entered shallow waters and was stuck. The only way to get the ship sailing again was by reducing the ship's load. One by one, the many items on board were cast into sea, but the ship refused to budge. Finally, the only object left was the Royal Crown of Malacca, which was then offered to the waters. The sea was happy with this, for immediately after the ship miraculously set sail on its own to Perak.
The Sultan took this as a sign, and swore that he and his descendants would never wear a crown during their installation. This practice came to be followed by other Malay Rulers. Thence, the Malay headdress known as the Tengkolok came to be the replacement for a crown.
For centuries, the Malay Rulers have worn headdresses as part of their regalia. These are made of embroidered silk folded in different styles since the days of the Malay Sultanate. The style of folding is called solek, and there are variations depending on the tradition of the royal family of a particular state. The colour of the headdress also varies from one state to another.
The royal headdress worn by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during his installation is called the Tengkolok Diraja. Made of black fabric embroidered with gold thread, it is folded in the style called Dendam Tak Sudah ("Persistent Vengeance") from the state of Negeri Sembilan (which also inspired the elective monarchical system itself). Affixed to the front of Tengkolok Diraja is a bejewelled ornament of a crescent moon and the 14-pointed star called the Bintang Persekutuan (Federation Star). At the centre of the star is the Coat of arms of Malaysia.
Muskat
The royal attire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the installation ceremony is the Muskat,King's Royal Dress. The origin of the Muskat can be traced to the ancient kingdom of Muscat, in present-day Oman. Originally, the Muskat was worn by government officials of Kedah.
The Muskat was first worn in 1960, at the installation of the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail. It was the introduced by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj, Malaysia's first prime minister, who was a prince of the Kedah royal house.
The Muskat is made of black wool embroidered with gold thread, in the pattern of the hibiscus, Malaysia's national flower. The dress is worn with headdress and embroidered long trousers at ceremonies to mark the King's installation, birthday, official visits to the states, and during the opening of Parliament. Past Hari Merdeka celebrations saw various other appearances of this dress.
Royal buckle
The Pending Diraja or Royal Buckle is made of pure gold and decorated with eleven rubies. The engraved centrepiece features the Malaysian arms. The belt is made of heavy ribbed silk, embroidered with floral motifs in gold thread.
Royal blades
The most revered item in the Malay royal regalia is the keris. Two the Keris Pendek Diraja and Keris Panjang Diraja among the Royal Regalia worn by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Keris Pendek Diraja
Keris Pendek Diraja or Royal Short Keris is the short keris made from the steel blades of older keris. It has an ivory hilt and gold-decorated sheath. The hilt is called Hulu Pekaka and shaped like the head of the legendary Garuda bird. The Federation Crest is embossed on the crosspiece of the sheath. It can only be carried or worn by the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Agong.