King Mohammed congratulates new king of Malaysia

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has sent a congratulations message to Malaysia's new king Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail who took the oath of allegiance to God and the country Thursday, the first day of his five-year term as monarch.

The sovereign extended the new Malaysian king congratulations and sincere wishes of health, happiness and success in his lofty action as well as wishes of progress and prosperity to the Malaysian people. The king also voices pride at the good level reached in friendship ties, brotherly comprehension and reciprocal esteem existing between the two people.

King Syed Sirajuddin, 58, read out his oath before signing in confirmation of an appointment decided Wednesday during a secret ballot of the nine Malay rulers. He is succeeding the late king Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, who died in office last month.

He is Malaysia's 12th king since the country gained independence from Britain in 1957. Malaysia has unique rotation system that provides for rulers and sultans from its nine states headed by royal families to take turns on the national throne. Malaysia has a total of 13 states.