Great loss to the nation
> BN, Opposition leaders pay last respects to ruler ‘who had people at heart’
ALOR STAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia has lost a great ruler with the passing of Kedah’s Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
He said the late Sultan was a ruler who had the interest of the people at heart.
“I got to know Almarhum when I was defence minister. We were holding Lima (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition), and Tuanku told me to provide lift facilities at the exhibition hall as Tuanku could not climb the stairs.
“Almarhum also urged members of the Kedah royalty and state government leaders to visit Lima,” he said after paying his last respects to Sultan Abdul Halim.
Also present was former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who described the Sultan as a “good friend”.
The fifth prime minister, who is from Kedah, said he was saddened by the Sultan’s passing.
“This is a loss for the country as he was a Sultan and an Agong who was close to the people,” he said.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Penang flag will be flown at halfmast for two days, beginning yesterday.
He described the passing of the Sultan as a great loss to the country.
Also paying their last respects were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim and former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Singapore leaders have written to the Sultanah of Kedah, Tuanku Haminah, to convey their condolences.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in the letter, said His Royal Highness was well-loved and respected by the people of Malaysia.