Sultan Abdul Halim appoints Council of Regency to perform his duties

ALOR SETAR: Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah has appointed a Council of Regency to perform his duties in Kedah during his tenure as the 14th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

The council members are the Sultan's brothers, Tunku Bendahara Kedah Datuk Seri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah, Tunku Temenggung Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Tunku Laksamana Kedah Datuk Seri Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Sultan Badlishah, and his daughter, Datuk Seri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim.

Tunku Annuar was appointed the council chairman.

The council was sworn in before Tuanku Abdul Halim and the Sultanah of Kedah, Tuanku Haminah Hamidun, at Istana Anak Bukit.

In his speech, the Sultan advised leaders at all levels to put the people's needs before their own.

The Kedah Sultan, who ascends the throne as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong today, said he was sometimes sad, thinking of those who purposely use the people as puppets without thinking of the consequences of their actions.

“We have seen the downfall of strong, powerful and boastful leaders,” he said.

The sultan told the council to carry out its responsibility to the people righteously and fairly.

He also urged Kedahans to be tolerant and live in peace and harmony.

He said the peace in the state was not easily attained as it involved a lot of sacrifices from leaders and the people.

The ruler said there was no problem that could not be solved through tolerance, goodwill and strong religious belief as all religions uphold peace and harmony.

“Take heed of what happened in other countries because the peace and prosperity that we built can be destroyed in the blink of an eye if we let hatred fuel our hearts,” he said.

He also said Kedahans would stay close to his heart despite his ascending the throne as King.

In conjunction with his appointment as King, Tuanku Abdul Halim yesterday conferred awards to eight persons led by Tunku Annuar who received the Darjah Utama Seri Mahawangsa (DMK) that carries the title Datuk Seri Utama.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak and Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz received the Darjah Seri Setia Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (SHMS) that carries the title Datuk Seri DiRaja.

Three recipients of the Darjah Seri Setia DiRaja Kedah (SSDK) that caries the title Datuk Seri were Tunku Annuar's wife, Datuk Nor Suzana Abdullah and the Tunku Temenggung Kedah's wife, Puan Seri Tengku Maliha Tengku Ariff and Tuanku Abdul Halim's sister Datuk Tunku Hosna Sultan Badlishah.

Two recipients of the Darjah Paduka Seri Setia Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (DHMS) that carries the title Datuk Paduka were Datuk Tunku Jaafar Laksamana Tunku Nong Jiwa and Datuk Syed Kamil Syed Noh Shahbuddin.

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