Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam has been installed as Malaysia's new king, becoming the country's oldest ever consitutional monarch.

The 84-year-old Sultan Abdul Halim took his oath of office in a traditional ceremony at the state palace in the capital of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Sultan Abdul Halim becomes the first Malaysian king to twice ascend the throne. He also served as king from 1970 to 1975.

Malaysia's nine hereditary state rulers take turns serving as monarch every five years.

Though the position is largely ceremonial, the king does confirm the prime minister's cabinet appointments and serves as the country's top-ranking army figure.

He also appoints Islamic clerics and is seen by Malaysia's Muslim majority as the country's symbolic head of Islam.