Touching tribute from a granddaughter

Official duty: Tuanku Abdul Halim signing a plaque to officially open the new Block E complex of Wisma Darul Aman in Alor Setar on Feb 19, 2009. Looking on is Sultanah of Kedah Tuanku Haminah Hamidun (right).

PETALING JAYA: The granddaughter of Kedah’s Sultan, Raja Sarina Iskandar, paid a touching tribute to Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, saying that Kedah and Malaysia “have lost one of their greatest kings”.

“Your dedication to Kedah and Malaysia has inspired me growing up. When you were the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time at the age of 83, I moved in with you at Istana Negara. It was then that I saw for the first time the behind-the-scenes of your life,” she said on her Instagram.

The Kedah Ruler passed away at 2.30pm yesterday.

Raja Sarina’s post on her Instagram.

Tuanku Abdul Halim made history when he became King 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.

Raja Sarina, who is a journalism graduate, said she saw Tuanku Abdul Halim skip his meals to practise his speeches or work in his office.

Precious memory: A family portrait of Tuanku Abdul Halim and his family members taken in 2003. Photograph obtained from the book ‘Sultan Abdul Halim – A Royal Journey’ by the Kedah state government.

“Which 80-something man would do that? Most of us dream of retiring at 50 if we can!

“But you never could even if you wanted to. And there were times, more often than people knew, when you were ill but still continued with your King and Sultan duties,” she said.

She added that in between functions, Tuanku Abdul Halim would be warded in the hospital.

“When you left the ward, I would watch you on television looking normal as you greeted the Prime Minister, government ministers and the rakyat.

Time with nature: A photograph obtained from the book ‘Sultan Abdul Halim – A Royal Journey’ by the Kedah state government.

“But as soon as the event was over, you would return to the hospital ward with tubes connected to your body.

“Even on your sickest day, you would be ON TIME. You would never make anyone wait.

“This is the side of a king no one knows. You don’t simply sit on a throne and enjoy your riches despite what many ignorantly think. There are sacrifices because you can’t have a normal life.

“There is no privacy and no normal schedule. Your status is an amanah (trust) from Allah,” she said.

She added that some people were unforgiving when leaders make mistakes, “and my Tok always made sure he did the very best. When I told him this blog or that person insulted him, he was never angry. He was calm and would simply say: ‘I did my best’.

“You did the very best and more your WHOLE life Tok. The reason I know how to be a good princess is because you taught me how. I love you so much Tok; you’re forever my Sultan. Al-Fatihah,” she said.