Kedahans, Malaysians mourn loss of a benevolent ruler
KUALA LUMPUR: The passing of the late Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah on Monday shocked and saddened not only the people of Kedah, but also other Malaysians.
The twice former Yang di-Pertuan Agong held a special place in the hearts of the rakyat, who reacted to news of his demise with an outpour of grief, and words of condolence for the Kedah royal family.
Social media platforms were flooded with messages, with Twitter overflowing with words of solace, and Instagram bursting with photo tributes.
Twitter user @asrulmm said: “(You) are not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others. Saya oghang Kedah & saya sayang Sultan saya. Al-Fatihah. (I am a Kedahan and I love my Sultan).
@asrulmm said he grew up singing the state song and posted the lyrics annually on the Kedah Sultan’s birthday, with only him in mind.
“Won’t be the same again — ‘Allah Selamatkan Sultan Mahkota, Berpanjangan usia di atas takhta, Memelihara ugama nabi kita, Negeri Kedah serata-rata’ (God bless the Sultan, Longevity on the throne, Preserving the religion of our Prophet, All over the state of Kedah).
“I think those who had met Almarhum Sultan Kedah (sensed) a fatherly, friendly, heart-warming aura around him,” he said via several posts.
Twitter user @AmniAbuBakar said: “Al-Fatihah to KDYMM Tuanku Sultan Kedah, you’ll always remain in our hearts. Kedah won’t be the same without you.”
Fellow user @nurulimanina said: “As a Kedahan, I felt so sad upon hearing the news about our Sultan Kedah. It feels as if I lost one of my family members.”
Another user, @srifzhr, said: “The clouds in Kedah are letting us know of the (demise) of a great King. Al-Fatihah KDYMM Tuanku Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Sultan Kedah.”
Twitter user @xxlilx said: “I am proud to have studied in the primary school where Almarhum Sultan Kedah used to study. That is also the reason why the school was named Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Amar Diraja...”
The late Sultan Abdul Halim was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice — from Sept 21, 1970 to Sept 20, 1975; and as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Dec 13, 2011 to Dec 12 last year.
Sultan Abdul Halim was known for his unique, benevolent way of ruling, which won him the love and respect of the nation.
He passed away at 2.30pm on Monday, Sept 11, at Istana Anak Bukit, Kedah — as announced by the Kedah state government. He was 89.