KELANTAN RULER’S FATHER DIES
Mourning period of 40 days to be observed in the state
SULTAN Ismail Petra, the father of Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, died at 8.11am yesterday at the Royal Ward of the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital here. He was 69.
The news was announced by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
He said the remains of the former ruler would be taken to Istana Balai Besar for dignitaries and the public to pay their last respects before being laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum here after asar prayers.
Ahmad said two days of holiday had been declared (Sunday and Monday) following the passing of the 28th sultan of Kelantan, who ruled the state from March 30, 1980 until May 2009.
Sultan Ismail Petra, who had been ill for more than a year after suffering a stroke, was succeeded by his son, Sultan Muhammad V, who ascended the throne on Sept 13, 2010.
The ruler was known as someone who was very close to his subjects.
Sultan Ismail Petra was born on Nov 11, 1949 at Istana Jahar here.
He was the only son and the youngest child of the late Sultan Yahya Petra and Raja Perempuan Zainab II.
Sultan Ismail Petra grew up with four siblings — Tengku Merjan, Tengku Rozan, Tengku Salwani and Tengku Rohani. He received his education at Maktab Sultan Ismail here.
On Nov 11, 1967, when he was 18, he was bestowed the title Crown Prince of Kelantan.
On March 30, 1980, he was crowned the sultan of Kelantan when he was 31.
On Dec 4, 1968, Sultan Ismail Petra married Raja Perempuan Kelantan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid at Istana Kota Lama here.
They were blessed with four children — Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra (now Sultan Muhammad V), Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra (now Kelantan Crown Prince), Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra and Tengku Amalin A’ishah Putri.
He suffered a stroke on May 14, 2009 and was treated at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian.
When his condition showed no signs of improvement, a panel of medical experts concurred that he would not be able to discharge his duties in ruling the state. His eldest son became the new sultan.
A mourning period of 40 days was announced for the state following his death.
The state flag will be flown at half-mast for three days.
All state government officials, as well as the state’s residents, are required to wear a white band around their songkok, or a black tie during the period. Bernama