Abdul Halim of Kedah

Abdul Halim
Yang di-Pertuan Agong V & XIV
Sultan of Kedah
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Reign 13 December 2011 – 12 December 2016
Installation 11 April 2012
Predecessor Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu
Successor Muhammad V of Kelantan
Prime Minister Najib Razak
Reign 21 September 1970 – 20 September 1975
Installation 20 February 1971
Predecessor Ismail Nasiruddin Shah of Terengganu
Successor Yahya Petra of Kelantan
Prime Ministers
Sultan of Kedah
Reign 14 July 1958 – 11 September 2017
Installation 20 February 1959
Predecessor Badlishah
Successor Sallehuddin
Chief Ministers
Born (1927-11-28)28 November 1927
Istana Anak Bukit, Alor Setar, Kedah, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya (now Malaysia)
Died 11 September 2017(2017-09-11) (aged 89)
Istana Anak Bukit, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
Burial 12 September 2017
Langgar Royal Mausoleum, Alor Setar, Kedah
Spouse Sultanah Bahiyah (1930–2003)
Sultanah Haminah (1975–2017)
Issue
Detail		 Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz
Tunku Soraya
Tunku Sarina (1960–1991)
Full name
Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah
Regnal name
Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah
House House of Mahawangsa
Father Sultan Badlishah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah
Mother Tunku Sofiah Binti Tunku Mahmud

Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah (Jawi: سلطان عبدالحاليم موءاذم شاه ابن المرحوم سلطان بدليشاه; 28 November 1927 – 11 September 2017) was the 28th Sultan of Kedah, reigning from 1958 to 2017. He served as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975, and as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 2011 to 2016. He was the first person to reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office. Immediately prior to his death, he was the second longest-reigning living monarch in the world after Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Biography

Early career

Born at Istana Anak Bukit near Alor Setar as Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah, he was the second, but eldest surviving son, of Sultan Badlishah (1894–1958; reigned 1943–1958), who later became the 28th Sultan of Kedah.[1] Of Malay and Thai descent, his mother was the Kedah-born princess Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 1899), who died in an automobile accident on 28 February 1934. Abdul Halim's maternal grandfather, Tunku Mahmud, was once Raja Muda (heir presumptive) to the throne of Kedah.[2]

He was educated at Alor Merah and Titi Gajah Malay schools and Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Star between 1946 and 1948. He went on to Wadham College, Oxford and obtained a Diploma in Social Science and Public Administration.[1] He subsequently joined the Kedah Administrative Service, serving in the Alor Star district office and later, the state treasury.[3]

Reign as Sultan of Kedah

On 6 August 1949, Tuanku Abdul Halim was appointed Raja Muda or heir apparent, and acceded as the twenty-eighth Sultan of Kedah on his father's death on 14 July 1958.[4] He was installed at the Balai Besar, Kota Star Palace in Alor Star on 20 February 1959, in a ceremony not held since 1710.[5]

Silver Jubilee Celebrations

Tuanku Abdul Halim celebrated his silver jubilee on 15 August 1983 with his royal consort, Sultanah Bahiyah. To commemorate this occasion the Kedah government opened The Jubli Perak Park at Sungai Petani, Kedah's 2nd Largest town.

Golden Jubilee celebrations

On 15 July 2008, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah celebrated his Golden Jubilee as the Sultan of Kedah. He is only the fourth Sultan in a line of 28 Sultans who have celebrated 50 years of reign in Kedah.[6]

In conjunction with the Golden Jubilee, 15 July 2008 was declared as a public holiday for the whole state of Kedah.[7] A ceremony of handing over the contributions in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee was held at the Istana Anak Bukit on 6 July 2008 by Kedah Chief Minister Azizan Abdul Razak. Throughout the whole week of the Golden Jubilee, various events were held to commemorate the Sultan.

Reign as King of Malaysia

First election as Deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

Tuanku Abdul Halim (as he became) served as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 21 September 1965 to 20 September 1970.

First election as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

Abdul Halim in a carriage with Elizabeth II on a state visit to London, 1974.

Tuanku Abdul Halim was elected as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and served his term in office from 21 September 1970 to 20 September 1975. He was the third youngest monarch to ascend the throne of Yang di-Pertuan Agong after Tuanku Syed Putra of Perlis and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu.

During his kingship, Tuanku Abdul Halim presided over the first transfer of power of the civilian government when his uncle, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman resigned in favour of his deputy Tun Abdul Razak. Tunku Abdul Rahman had felt that he should not serve under a nephew, given strict Malay royal protocol, but agreed to stay on as prime minister for one day of Tuanku Abdul Halim's reign.[8]

Second election as Deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

On 2 November 2006, Tuanku Abdul Halim was for the second time elected Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong to serve a five-year term. He is the first person to have been elected twice to this office.

Second election as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

In October 2011, Abdul Halim was elected to serve a second term as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which commenced on 13 December 2011. He is the first regnant sultan to hold the position twice.[9] He is also the oldest Malay Ruler to be installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 84 years and 15 days old, surpassing the previous record holder, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz of Selangor, who was installed at 73 years and 49 days old. He was officially installed on 11 April 2012 at Istana Negara.

During his tenure as Yang Di Pertuan Agong, a Council of Regency consisting of his brothers Tunku Annuar (d. May 2014), Tunku Sallehuddin, Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani, and daughter Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz was assigned to discharge Abdul Halim's duties as Sultan of Kedah.[10] His tenure as Yang Di Pertuan Agong ended on 12 December 2016.

Family life

Tuanku Abdul Halim had two wives:

1. Sultanah Bahiyah, daughter of Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan, married 1956. She served as Sultanah of Kedah (1958–2003) and Raja Permaisuri Agong (1970–1975). She died on 26 August 2003 at Istana Kuala Cegar in Alor Star.[11] They had three daughters:

  • Her Highness (Duli Yang Amat Mulia) Tunku Dato' Seri Diraja Tan Sri Soraya, The Raja Puan Muda of Perak (born 30 April 1960)
  • Her Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Tunku Sarina (30 April 1960 – 31 August 1991)
  • Her Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Brigadier General Tunku Puteri Dato' Seri Diraja Tan Sri Intan Safinaz binti Tuanku AlHaj Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, The Tunku Temenggong of Kedah (previously Tunku Panglima Besar) (born 22 July 1966). [12]

Through Tunku Soraya, who married Raja Dato' Seri Diraja Tan Sri Iskandar Zulkarnain, son of Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak and current Raja di-Hilir Perak (the second heir apparent of Perak), they had three grandsons and two granddaughters:

  • His Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Raja Nabil Imran Aziz (born 1987)
  • His Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Raja Idris Shah (born 1989)
  • Her Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Raja Sarina Intan Bahiyah (born 1992)
  • Her Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Raja Safia Azizah (born 1996)
  • His Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Raja Siffudin Muadzam Shah (born 2000)

2. Sultanah Haminah, married 1975. A commoner from Perak, she was titled Che Puan Kedah until 9 January 2004 when she was crowned as Sultanah.[13] She served as Raja Permaisuri Agong during his second term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Death

Sultan Abdul Halim passed away on the 11th September 2017, at the age of 89, at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar.[14][15] He was laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Langgar on the day after his death.[16]

Ancestry

Titles and styles

Styles of
Abdul Halim
Reference style His Royal Highness
Spoken style Your Royal Highness
Alternative style Tuanku
  • 28 November 1927 – 13 May 1943: His Highness (Yang Amat Mulia) Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah
  • 13 May 1943 – 6 August 1949: His Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Sultan Badlishah
  • 6 August 1949 – 15 July 1958: His Highness (Duli Yang Teramat Mulia) Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Sultan Badlishah, the Raja Muda of Kedah
  • 15 July 1958 – 21 September 1970: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of Kedah
  • 21 September 1970 – 20 September 1975: His Majesty (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong V
  • 20 September 1975 – 13 December 2011: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of Kedah
  • 13 December 2011 – 12 December 2016: His Majesty (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIV
  • 13 December 2016 – 11 September 2017: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of Kedah

His style and title in full on 13 December 2016 became: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al-Sultan Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbudin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, Sultan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman dan Jajahan Takluknya (His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbudin Tuanku Al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of Kedah, Abode of Peace and it's Dependencies).

Military grades

Tuanku Abdul Halim held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force[17] in his previous constitutional duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces as well as the ranks of Field Marshal of the Malaysian Army and Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Since 1972 he was the Royal Malay Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, and also performed the same functions for the Malaysian Army's Royal Service Corps.

Awards and recognitions

National and State honours

Foreign honours

Places named after him

Several places were named after him, including:

Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 Information Malaysia. Berita Publ. Sdn. Bhd. 1985.
  2. ↑ Finestone, Jeffrey and Shaharil Talib (1994) The Royal Families of South-East Asia Shahindera Sdn Bhd
  3. ↑ Ibrahim Ismail (1987) Sejarah Kedah Sepintas Lalu p209 Penerbit UUM
  4. ↑ (3 November 2006) Bernama
  5. ↑ Ibrahim Ismail (1987) Op Cit pp 214–218
  6. ↑ (July 14, 2008) Bernama Online
  7. ↑ (July 6, 2008) Bernama Online
  8. ↑ Tunku Abdul Rahman (1977) Looking Back p346 Pustaka Antara, Kuala Lumpur
  9. ↑ "Sultan of Kedah to be next Yang di-Pertuan Agong, for second time". The Malaysian Insider. 14 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "Kedah Sultan Reminds Council of Regency To Carry Out Duties With Honesty". Bernama. 12 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 December 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  11. ↑ ( 26 August 2003) Utusan Malaysia
  12. 1 2 Royal Ark
  13. ↑ (10 January 2004) Bernama
  14. ↑ Mohd. Rafie Azimi (11 September 2017). "Sultan Kedah mangkat" [The sultan of Kedah passed away] (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  15. ↑ "Kedah's Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim passes away". The Star. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  16. ↑ "Almarhum Sultan Kedah Dimakamkan Di Makam Diraja Langgar". Addin (in Malay). 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  17. ↑ "Photographs of Tuanku Abdul Halim, Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia". Janus. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  18. ↑ Photo of Sultan Abdul Halim and Sultanah Haminah
  19. 1 2 List of Malay rulers (as of January 2013) with details of orders
  20. ↑ Badraie Archived 2 March 2004 at the Wayback Machine.
  21. ↑ Article (in Malay) evoking the awarding of decorations
Abdul Halim of Kedah
House of Kedah
Born: 28 November 1927 Died: 11 September 2017
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Badlishah		 Sultan of Kedah
1958–2017		 Succeeded by
Mahmud Sallehuddin
Preceded by
Ismail Nasiruddin		 Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
1970–1975		 Succeeded by
Yahya Petra
Preceded by
Mizan Zainal Abidin		 Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
2011–2016		 Succeeded by
Muhammad V
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