Tuanku Abdul Rahman was elected first Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Paramount Ruler of independent Malaya on 3 August 1957 for a five-year term by eight votes to one, defeating the more senior Sultan Abu Bakar of Pahang [REF].
He had been the ruler of Negeri Sembilan for 24 years before being elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong.