Royals speak of their loss on Facebook and Instagram
JOHOR BARU: Johor Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah has written a touching poem in tribute to the late Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
She posted the English poem on her Facebook page at about 10pm on Monday, which received more than 1,900 Likes and 115 shares at press time.
The poem was shared by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on his official Facebook page as well.
Raja Zarith Sofiah also reposted a Facebook posting in which she spoke about her admiration for the late Sultan.
“After my brother Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain married Tunku Soraya (the Sultan’s daughter), I had the opportunity
to meet him and to hear his fam
ily speak about the seriousness with which he viewed his role as a Sultan.
“His younger daughter Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz always said his was a life full of service. He did not expect others to serve him but on the other hand, felt and believed that he must serve his rakyat and his state,” said Raja Zarith Sofiah.
She went on to say that she wished the Malaysian public knew more about him, about the man behind the title.
Raja Zarith Sofiah’s son Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Ibni Sultan Ibrahim also paid tribute to the late Sultan on Instagram by posting a black-and-white photo of Tuanku Abdul Halim.
“You have been such a great role model to me, showing me that no matter how unwell or tired you feel on that day, duty comes first. My heart goes out to all rakyat Kedah,” he added.
Tunku Soraya, Perak’s Raja Puan Muda, said in an Instagram posting that she would miss her father terribly.
“I woke up with tears rolling down my cheeks and no, there are no words that can describe how I feel. We will miss you terribly.
“You are loved so much and you have given your life to the people of Kedah and Malaysia,” she said on Monday night.
Tuanku Abdul Halim married Tuanku Bahiyah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the eldest daughter of the then Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, on March 10, 1956. Tuanku Abdul Rahman went on to become the country’s first King.
Tuanku Abdul Halim ascended the throne of Kedah on July 14, 1958, after the demise of his father. He was installed as Sultan on Feb 20, 1959.
The royal couple had three princesses – Tunku Soraya, Tunku Sarina and Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz.