In August 1957, the Conference of Rulers consented to the adoption of the title “Yang di-Pertuan Agong” for the Head of the Federation of Malaya, who must be elected based on the longest reign among the Malay Rulers.

Based on this criterion, Sultan of Johor, Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, who was installed in 1895, was the longest reigning Ruler.  However, the Sultan, who was 84 years old then, abdicated the throne owing to his age.

Second in the order, Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-Mutassim Billah Shah who became Sultan of Pahang in 1932, also declined the nomination.

Accordingly, the third longest reigning Ruler, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad of Negeri Sembilan was unanimously elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong.  Tuanku Abdul Rahman took the throne of Negeri Sembilan in 1933.

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