Kedah sultan passes away
> Lying-in-state today at Istana Anak Bukit
ALOR STAR: The Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, passed away at 2.30pm yesterday at Istana Anak Bukit here. He was 89.
Sultan Abdul Halim had ruled Kedah for 59 years.
The announcement on the Sultan’s passing was made by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah at a press conference in Wisma Darul Aman.
The Royal Committee for the funeral announced that the lying-instate would be held at the Dewan Penghadapan in Istana Anak Bukit today for the public to pay their last respects from 11am to 12.30pm.
Ahmad Bashah said dignitaries would be allowed to pay their last respects between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
He said the cortege would proceed along Lebuhraya Darulaman, Jalan Tun Razak, Lebuhraya Sultanah Bahiyah and Jalan Langgar to the Langgar Royal Mausoleum for the burial, scheduled for 4pm.
The mentri besar also announced a public holiday for Kedah today, but said the Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR) would proceed as scheduled.
He added that Kedah would observe a seven-day mourning period.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is currently in Washington on a three-day working trip, said as a mark of respect, the national flag would be flown at halfmast nationwide today and tomorrow.