Sultan Abdul Halim’s passing a loss to nation, me, says Najib
ALOR STAR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday paid tribute to the late Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, whom he said had set the best example for the country’s constitutional monarchy.
Describing the late sultan as a father figure to him, Najib said the passing of the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong was not only a great loss to the nation and Kedah, but also to him.
He said his relationship with Sultan Abdul Halim began way before the latter ruled as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time in 2011.
“The late sultan was like a father to me because our relationship began way back during Tun Abdul Razak’s (Najib’s father) time (as the prime minister).
“The late sultan had always been concerned not only over matters pertaining to the country’s administration, but also everything involving my family and me personally.
“The late sultan’s exemplary commitment and dedication towards his duty to the nation and the people will always be appreciated.
“I will always have the utmost respect for him as a ruler who was highly appreciated by the rakyat; to me, he is regarded as the best example for our constitutional monarchy.
“As such, his passing is not only a great loss to the people of Malaysia and the people in Kedah, but also to myself,” Najib said.
The prime minister said this after spending half an hour visiting Sultan Abdul Halim’s grave at the Royal Mausoleum in Jalan Langgar here.
Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived at the Royal Mausoleum at 6.30pm from the United Kingdom after his working visit to the United States.
Present were Tunku Bendahara of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani, Tunku Temenggong of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Shafinaz Sultan Abdul Halim, her sister Raja Puan Muda Perak Tan Sri Tunku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim and Tunku Soraya’s husband, Raja Di-Hilir of Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain.
Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Najib took part in a tahlil recital for the late Sultan Abdul Halim at the Royal Mausoleum, led by Kedah mufti Datuk Sheikh Fadhil Awang.
Sultan Abdul Halim, 89, passed away on Monday at Istana Anak Bukit.