Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa said Section 8 of the Public Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) allows the special day to be observed as a public holiday in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

For Sabah and Sarawak, the state governments have been directed to take similar action according to the laws of their respective states, he said.

“The installation ceremony of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V will be conducted at Balairung Seri, Istana Negara, on April 24. In this regard, the government, with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, will be holding two main events for the coronation ceremony.

“In the morning of April 24, the installation ceremony will be held at Balairung Seri while a royal banquet will be held at night at the Banquet Hall of Istana Negara,” he said in a statement issued here today.

Ali said two other functions would be held, namely a Yasin recital as well as doa selamat and solat hajat (prayers), scheduled for April 20 at Putra Mosque in Putrajaya.

There will also be an exhibition, entitled “Our King”, on May 2 at the Royal Museum (former Istana Negara).

Sultan Muhammad V was elected as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong to replace Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, who completed his term as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 12 last year.