Sultanah Bahiyah

Sultanah Hajjah Bahiyah binti Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Jawi: سلطانه حاجه باهييه بنت المرحوم توانكو عبدالرحمن; 24 August 1930 – 26 August 2003) was the Sultanah of Kedah (1959–2003) and served as the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia from 21 September 1970 until 20 September 1975.

Early life

Tunku Bahiyah was born on 24 August 1930 in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan. She was the eldest daughter of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad and Tunku Kurshiah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who were then elected the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia.

She received her education at a Malay School in Seri Menanti and the Seremban Convent School. She later furthered her studies in United Kingdom and received a degree in Social Science from University of Nottingham.

Marriage

Tunku Bahiyah married Tuanku Al-Mutassimu Billahi Muhibbudin Sultan Abdul Halim Al-Muadzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah of Kedah in 1956.

The royal couple had three daughters; two of whom are twins. They are Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Diraja Tunku Intan Shafinaz,Raja Puan Muda of Perak Dato’ Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Hajjah Soraya and Tunku Sarina (died on 31 August 1991).

Becoming Queen

In 1958, Tuanku Abdul Halim became Sultan of Kedah. Tunku Bahiyah was installed as the Sultanah of Kedah with his ascension to the throne.

From 1970, she served her five-year term as Raja Permaisuri Agong or Queen of Malaysia when Tuanku Abdul Halim became the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Death

Sultanah Bahiyah died in her sleep at 12:23 pm of cancer and old age on 26 August 2003 at Istana Kuala Cegar, Alor Setar.^[1] She was laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Moseleum, Alor Star.

Awards and recognition

Sultanah Bahiyah was conferred various awards, both locally and abroad. In 1970, Emperor Hirohito of Japan awarded her the First Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Later in the same year, President Suharto of Indonesia awarded her the First Class of the Order of the Star of Mahaputera.

In 1973, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand awarded her the Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao.

Sultanah Bahiyah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by the University of Malaya where she served as the Chancellor from 1972 until 1986.

The general hospital in Alor Setar which is also the main referral and tertiary health centre in Northern Peninsular Malaysia was renamed in her honour to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

There is a highway in Alor Setar, Sultanah Bahiyah Highway (Federal Route ) was named after her.

SMK Sultanah Bahiyah, a secondary school in Alor Setar was named after her.

Sultanah Bahiyah Mosque, a mosque in Alor Setar was named after her.

Tuanku Bahiyah Residential College, a residential college at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur was named in honour of her.

Titles and styles

• 24 August 1930 - 3 August 1933: Her Highness (Yang Amat Mulia) Tunku Bahiyah binti Tunku Laksamana Abdul Rahman
• 3 August 1933 - 9 March 1956: Her Highness (Yang Amat Mulia) Tunku Bahiyah binti Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan
• 9 March 1956 – 15 July 1958: Her Royal Highness (Duli Yang Teramat Mulia) Tunku Bahiyah binti Tuanku Abdul Rahman, The Raja Puan Muda of Kedah
• 15 July 1958 - 20 September 1970: Her Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Sultanah Bahiyah binti Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, The Sultanah of Kedah
• 20 September 1970 – 21 September 1975: Her Majesty (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda) Tuanku Bahiyah binti Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, The Raja Permaisuri Agong V
• 21 September 1975 - 26 August 2003: Her Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Sultanah Hajjah Bahiyah binti Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, The Sultanah of Kedah

Social contributions

Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah was the patron of various organisations such as:

• Kedah Orchid Association
• Blood Donors Association of Malaysia
• Family Planning Association of Kedah
• Children’s Welfare Organisation of Kedah
• Islamic Women’s Welfare Organisation of Kedah
• Lioness Club of Kedah
• Netball Association of Kedah
• Women’s Association of Universiti Utara Malaysia (SUTRANITA)
• Nottingham Graduates Association
• Ex-Servicemen Widows and Wives Association (BAKIABAH)
• Kedah Association for the Disabled
• Kedah Thalassaemia Association
• Association of Sultanah Bahiyah Secondary School Students

Honours

She has been awarded:^[2]

See also

• Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
• Raja Permaisuri Agong

References

External links

• Tuanku Bahiyah Residential College official site