The king is the symbolic head of Islam in Malaysia
In his first address to parliament, Malaysia's new king has warned that the authorities will eliminate religious extremists threatening national stability.
The speech by King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin follows the arrest in recent months of dozens of alleged Islamic militants, accused of plotting to overthrow the government and having links with the al-Qaeda network.
Islam is the official religion in Malaysia, which has a Muslim majority, and the king as its symbolic head.
The king said he was saddened by issues related to Islam that could harm public order, including a tendency by some Muslims to talk inaccurately about jihad, or holy war.
"Certain groups in the society are more interested in interpreting jihad within narrow confines," said the king. "Utterances of jihad are often linked to elements of mere force, violence and bloodshed."
Correspondents say this is being interpreted as a reference to the opposition Islamic party, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), which last year called for a jihad against the United States after its bombing of Afghanistan.
"We call upon the people to revert to the true religious teachings, in order to achieve success and excellence in every aspect of life in this world and hereafter," the king said.
The king was installed in December after his predecessor died.
Malaysia has a system of constitutional monarchy, where the position of king is rotated every five years among nine traditional Malay rulers.
The king's role is largely ceremonial, with power in the hands of parliament and the prime minister.