ALOR STAR: Continue the legacy of the late Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
This is the hope expressed by many Kedahans to the new state ruler Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, who was proclaimed the 29th Sultan of Kedah following the demise of his elder brother.
Kedah historian Datuk Wan Shamsuddin Mohd Yusoff said Tunku Sallehudidn could easily fill his brother’s shoe as they shared the same love for the state and the people.
He said the new sultan cared about the state’s history, just like his brother.
He said even before Tunku Sallehuddin was proclaimed Raja Muda of Kedah, he had showed interest in the state’s history, especially about his royal ancestors.
“I have met him on several occasions to talk about Kedah’s history.
“The sultan even graced a visit by the Kedah History Association to a mausoleum in Penang, where several Kedah royal family members were laid to rest,” he told the New Straits Times.
Wan Shamsuddin said like Sultan Abdul Halim, Tunku Sallehuddin shared the same passion to conserve and protect the state’s historical sites for future generations.
“I believe the people will love Tunku Sallehuddin as much as his elder brother.
“I believe he will be as benevolent as Sultan Abdul Halim.”
Kedah Royal Mausoleum caretaker Daud Shahidan, 54, said since early morning today, many people visited Sultan Abdul Halim’s grave to pray and recite Quranic verses.
He said the mausoleum would be open to the public for a few weeks.
“Since the funeral yesterday, many people have visited the grave and recited prayers for Sultan Abdul Halim.
“This shows how much they love and miss him.”
Daud said he believed Tunku Sallehuddin would also be loved by the people as he had a similar personality to his brother.
Azlin Abu Bakar, 40, from Lorong Seri here, said she would always remember Sultan Abdul Halim’s smile upon his return to the state after ending his tenure as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year.
“The people miss him dearly because most of us grew up with him as our sultan.”
Sultan Abdul Halim passed away about 2.30pm on Monday at Istana Anak Bukit here at the age of 89.
He was laid to rest next to his first wife, Sultanah Bahiyah, at the Royal Mausoleum in Jalan Langgar yesterday in a ceremony steeped in royal tradition.