Malaysia's royal families will elect a king Thursday after the last monarch abdicated following his reported marriage to a Russian ex-beauty queen, with a sports-loving sultan in pole position for the role.

Malaysian royals to pick new king after historic abdication

Local reports said the move was designed to pave the way for Sultan Abdullah to be chosen as the next king of Malaysia by the Council of Rulers, who will choose a new king on January 24.

Malaysian state chooses new sultan, expected to be elected king

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Malaysian royals to pick new king after historic abdication

Malaysian state chooses new sultan, expected to be elected king