(CNN) Malaysia's royal families are understood to have held a meeting to discuss a date to select a new king, after Muhammad V announced his abdication Sunday, state media reports. Muhammad V's abdication marked the first time in modern history that the country's constitutional leader has stepped down. Muhammad V was elected the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong -- Malaysia's head of state -- in December 2016. Every nine years, the country's nine royal families elect one of their sultans as King of the whole country. According to state-run news agency Bernama, the cars of the rulers of six of the royal houses arrived at the Istana Negara -- the King's official residence -- Monday morning.

Source: CNN January 07, 2019 08:15 UTC