ALOR STAR: A 21-gun salute was fired at 7am this morning to mark the passing of the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
The royal funeral began at 8am today at Istana Anak Bukit here.
The service began with the ‘bersiram’ (bathing) and ‘kafan’ ceremonies. This was followed by final prayers at Balai Penghadapan Baru.
The prayer was led by Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Fadhil Awang. It was also participated by 22 students from Maahad Tahfiz Al Wusth Gua Chempedak.
Sultan Abdul Halim’s body will lie in state at Balai Penghadapan Baru for members of the public and dignitaries to pay their last respects from 11am until 1.30pm.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, is expected to lead the dignitaries in paying their last respects to Sultan Abdul Halim.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is scheduled to represent Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to pay his last respects to the king on behalf of the federal government.
An 89-gun salute, symbolising the sultan’s age, will accompany the royal carriage carrying Sultan Abdul Halim from Istana Anak Bukit to the royal mausoleum in Langgar.
Sultan Abdul Halim was 89 years old when he passed away at Istana Anak Bukit at 2.30pm yesterday.
He was born on Nov 28, 1927 at Istana Anak Bukit.
Tuanku Abdul Halim, who was installed as the Sultan of Kedah in 1958, is the oldest surviving son of Almarhum Sultan Badlishah Sultan Abdul Hamid.
He made history as the first Sultan to become the Yang Di-pertuan Agong twice, in 1959 and in 2011.
Yesterday, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah in a special press conference announced the passing of Sultan Abdul Halim.
He also announced a seven-day mourning period beginning yesterday, whereby all state events will be cancelled.
The Kedah flag will also be flown at half-mast for three days starting yesterday.