ALOR SETAR: After serving as the head of state for five years, on Dec 12, 2016, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah will end his reign as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Tuanku Abdul Halim’s name will be etched in the Malaysian history, as he is the only monarch so far to reign twice as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Tuanku Abdul Halim first became the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Sept 21, 1970, for five years ending Sept 20, 1975.
Thirty-six years later, he then served as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 13, 2011 for another five years.
The people of Kedah will be celebrating his return and that of the Raja Permaisuri Agong in a grand ceremony that will be held here on Dec 12.
Close to the people
The Chairman of the History Society of Kedah, Datuk Wan Shamsuddin Md Yusof, 84, said Tuanku Abdul Halim was a monarch who was close to the people.
In his adolescence, Tuanku Abdul Halim was a student of the Special Malay Class of the Sultan Abdul Hamid College (SAHC) and stayed in the school dormitory, Wan Shamduddin revealed.
“He agreed with the decision of his late father, Sultan Badlishah, to send him to live among the common folks from varying racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
“Every weekend, the late Sultan Badlishah would send to his son food from the palace.
“However, Tuanku Abdul Halim will not eat it alone. Instead, he would call his friends over so that they can share it together,” he said.
The monarch also enjoyed the local favourites of the Kedah people such as Mee Abu and popia (spring rolls).
Wan Shamduddin, who once chaired SAHC’s Parent-Teacher Association, said that Tuanku Abdul Halim had requested for his local favourites when gracing an event at the school with his presence.
“We had sent over a representative to inquire what he (Tuanku Abdul Halim) would like to it, and he asked for Mee Abu and popia,” he said.
In his reign as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the monarch known for being soft-spoken and polished, paid special attention towards the field of education and sports.
This could be deduced from his presence at every Temasya Sukan Sungai (Water Sports Festival) in Tanjung Chali, Alor Setar, held in conjunction with his birthday.
The biennial event which debuted in 1931 was a clear favourite of the monarch, said the Youth, Sports, Arts, Culture, Heritage and NGO State Exco Chairman Datuk Aminuddin Omar.
“Not only would he grace the event, he would also present prizes to the winners,” he said.
He also rejoiced in the Kedah football team’s fifth Malaysia Cup victory on Oct 29.
A celebratory dinner was held for the team at the Istana Negara Multipurpose Hall, which was graced by the presence of Tuanku Abdul Halim and Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Hajah Haminah.
The team’s coach Tan Cheng Hoe said the team was deeply honoured by the gesture and dedicated their victory to the dearly beloved ruler of Kedah.
Tuanku Abdul Halim is also an active member of the Sultan Abdul Hamid Old Collegians Association, Vintage Classic Car Register Malaysia and Singapore, Snooker and Billiards Association Malaysia, Kedah Golf Association and the Sultanah Bahiyah Foundation.
He also often focused on providing education for all. Every year, Tuanku Abdul Halim and Raja Permaisuri Agong would attend various activities at the primary and secondary schools as well as at teaching colleges and universities.
Daulat Tuanku
His close involvement with the people of Kedah made him a popular ruler in the state.
A. Sundralinggam, 30, recalled how thrilled and honoured he felt to have met the Sultan of Kedah up close during the 50th anniversary of the Reign of Sultan of Kedah celebration, eight years ago.
Back in 2011, Sundralinggam and family were there to send-off of Tuanku Abdul Halim to Kuala Lumpur as his majesty got ready to start his tenure the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. —Bernama