Sultan of Terengganu’s Birthday in Malaysia Date in the current year: April 26, 2024

The Sultanate of Terengganu was formed in 1724, with Zainal Abidin I as its first sultan. In the late 19th century, it lost its independence, becoming a vassal state of Thailand. During the following years, Terengganu was ruled by the United Kingdom, Japan and then again by Thailand. In 1948, it joined the Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia).

The incumbent Sultan of Terengganu is Mizan Zainal Abidin. He was born on January 22, 1962 to Sultan Mahmud of Terengganu and his second wife Sharifa. The heir apparent to the throne of Terengganu received primary education in Malaysia, graduated from secondary school in Australia and went to England, where he studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and obtained a bachelor’s degree in international relations from a college in London.

Having returned to his home country, Mizan held posts at the State Economic Planning Unit and the Kuala Terengganu District Land Office. He also served as the President of Terengganu’s Council for Islam and Malay Culture from 1991 to 1995 and as the first Chancellor of the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu from 2001 to 2006.

Mizan was officially appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Muda (crown prince) of Terengganu in 1979. He became the 17th Sultan of the state on May 15, 1998, the next day after Sultan Mahmud’s death. At age 36, Mizan Zainal Abidin became the youngest head of a federal state in Malaysia. His coronation was held on March 4, 1999.

Several months later, the Sultan of Terengganu was appointed as the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the Deputy Supreme Head of Malaysia). In 2001, he served as the Acting Yang di-Pertuan Agong (ruler of Malaysia) following the death of the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Salahuddin. After the election of the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he was re-appointed as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

In 2006, Mizan Zainal Abidin was elected as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, becoming the first Supreme Head of Malaysia to be born after the declaration of the country’s independence. While he served as the head of state, Terengganu was ruled by a regency council (Mizan’s eldest son was appointed as regent, but he was only eight years old at the time).

Terengganu is one of the states that celebrate the official birthday of the ruler rather than the actual one. Sultan of Terengganu’s official birthday coincides with the anniversary of his installation as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Although his reign began on December 13, 2006, he was formally installed on April 26, 2007, so his official birthday is celebrated on April 26.

In addition to the Sultan’s official birthday, Terengganu celebrates his coronation anniversary, which falls on March 4.