Malaysia's king Muhammad V of Kelantan abdicates the throne

Malaysia’s king Muhammad V has abdicated, becoming the first ruling monarch to resign from the throne in the country’s history.

The 49-year-old stepped down on Sunday after weeks of mounting speculation that he was to leave the throne.

It followed his decision to take a two month break – beginning in November – in which he is rumoured to have married a 25-year-old Russian model, Oksana Voevodina, in Moscow.

No official reason for his abdication was given.

But in a statement from the National Palace, in Kuala Lumpur, it was made clear his resignation took immediate effect.

“His majesty has prepared to return to Kelantan Darul Naim to be with the state government and especially the people of Kelantan to safeguard and develop Kelantan for the betterment of the public,” it said.

“During his tenure... his majesty worked to fulfil his responsibilities and the trust placed in him as the head of state, serving as the pillar of stability, the source of justice and as an umbrella of the solidarity and unity of the people,” it added. “His majesty hopes that all Malaysians will continue to stay united.”

There was no official announcement from Sultan Muhammad V himself.

Malaysia has a unique monarchy system where a king – the Agong – rules for just five years. The nine hereditary sultans of the country’s royal Malay houses elect this Agong among themselves usually on a rotational basis.

But Sultan Muhammad’s resignation comes just two years after he came to the throne in December 2016, and three years before his reign was due to conclude.

No previous monarch has ever left the throne mid-term.

It is unclear who will succeed him but during his absence in November and December, Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Shah was named as the acting king.