Kedah's Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim passes away

PETALING JAYA: Kedah's Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah has passed away at the age of 89.

He passed away at 2.30pm on Monday.

The Kedah ruler made history when he became Agong for the second time in 2012 after being installed for the first time in 1970.

Tuanku Abdul Halim ended his term as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong last December and was replaced by Kelantan ruler Sultan Muhammad V.

An official from the Kedah MB's office said Mentri Besar Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipa was informed of the Sultan's death as soon as he arrived at the airport in Alor Star from Kuala Lumpur at about 2.40pm.

Former Kedah mentri besar Tan Sri Osman Aroff said he was on his way to Alor Star to attend the Sultan's funeral.

"I am very deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He was a most compassionate Ruler,'' he said.

Tuanku Abdul Halim was born on Nov 28, 1927. On July 14, 1958, he ascended the throne of Kedah after the demise of his father, Sultan Badlishah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. He was installed as the Sultan of Kedah on Feb 20, 1959.

He received his early education at Sekolah Melayu Titi Gajah and then went to the Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Setar.

In 1952, when he was the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim attended Wadham College, Oxford, in London, graduating in social science and public administration.

Tuanku Abdul Halim married Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah Tuanku Abdul Rahman on March 10, 1956, and they were blessed with three princesses, Tunku Soraya, Tunku Sarina and Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz. Tunku Sarina has since passed away.

After the passing of Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah on Aug 26, 2003, Tuanku Abdul Halim married Che Puan Hajah Haminah Hamidun who was proclaimed the new Sultanah of Kedah on Jan 9, 2004, with the title of Tuanku Sultanah Hajah Haminah.