Goodbye, beloved Ruler
Thousands turn up to pay their last respects
Thousands of leaders and ordinary people thronged Istana Anak Bukit to pay their last respects to Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah before the much-loved Ruler was laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Alor Setar after a solemn ceremony. The Johor Permaisuri was even moved to write a poem in honour of the late Sultan.
ALOR SETAR: A solemn atmosphere hung over the state as much-loved Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah was laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum.
The sorrow was clearly visible on the faces of the many who attended the entire ceremony, including royalty, dignitaries, politicians and members of the public.
The late Sultan was laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum at 5.18pm yesterday.
Thousands thronged Istana Anak Bukit from early in the morning to pay their last respects. The funeral procession then left the palace around 2.40pm and the coffin, draped in yellow, was put on a “pedati” and pulled by a Land Rover.
The journey of about 11km to the Langgar Royal Mausoleum passed through Lebuhraya Darulaman, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Langgar. Along the route, hundreds of people came out to see off their beloved Ruler.
The “pedati” was accompanied by four “Pawai” (royal guards), two each on the left and right and four umbrella holders.
Also seen walking beside the “pedati” were 13 Islamic scholars led by Kedah Islamic Council deputy president Datuk Syeikh Hasbullah Abdul Halim and Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Fadzil Awang.
State protocol chief and comptroller of the Royal Household and Principal Private Secretary of the late Sultan, Datuk Paduka Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah, was sitting on the “pedati”.
At the palace, the “pedati” passed through the guard-of-honour of three officers and 103 men from the 6th battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, which is based at the Tok Jalai camp in Jitra.
At the same time, 89 shots of the cannon were fired. The 89 shots marked the age of the late Sultan.
The late Sultan was laid to rest beside his wife Almarhumah Sultanah Bahiyah Tuanku Abdul Rahman and his brother Tunku Abdul Malik Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah.
After being laid to rest, the talkin prayers were recited by Syeikh Fadzil while the tahlil was recited by the Imam Besar of Masjid Zahir, Datuk Syeikh Roslan Abdul Halim.
Among those seen pouring rose water on the grave and sprinkling flower petals were the newly-appointed Sultan of Kedah, Tunku Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the brother of the late Sultan, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and close royal family members.
The entire ceremony ended at about 6pm.
Earlier in the morning, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V was among those who came to pay their respects at the Istana’s Balai Penghadapan. The King arrived at 12.40pm.
Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Raja Permaisuri Norashikin Abdul Rahman, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim were among the other members of royalty who came to pay their respects.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Kedah MCA deputy chairman Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim were among others who were there, along with thousands of Kedahans.