ALOR STAR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak today paid a touching tribute to the late Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, whom he said had set the best example for the country's Constitutional Monarchy.
Describing the late Sultan as a father figure to him, the prime minister said passing of the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong was not only a great loss to the nation and Kedah, but also himself personally.
Najib said his personal relationship with Sultan Abdul Halim began way back before the latter ruled as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time in 2011.
"Almarhum was like a father to me because our relationship began way back during Tun Abdul Razak’s (Najib's father) time (as the prime minister).
"Almarhum had always been concerned not only over matters pertaining to the country’s administration, but also everything involving my family and myself personally.
"Almarhum's exemplary commitment and dedication towards his duty to the nation and to the people will always be truly appreciated.
"I will always have the utmost respect for Almarhum as a Ruler who was highly appreciated by the rakyat; to me, Almarhum is regarded as the best example for our Constitutional Monarchy.
"As such, Almarhum's passing is not only a great loss to the people of Malaysia and the people in Kedah, but also to myself personally," Najib said, his voice breaking.
The prime minister was speaking to reporters after spending half an hour visiting Sultan Abdul Halim’s grave at the Royal Mausoleum in Jalan Langgar here.
Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor arrived at the Royal Mausoleum about 6.30pm from the United Kingdom after his working visit to the United States.
Present were Tengku Bendahara of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Ahmad Thani Sultan Badlishah, Tengku Temenggong of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Shafinaz Sultan Abdul Halim, her sister Raja Puan Muda Perak Tan Sri Tunku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim and Tunku Soraya's husband, Raja di Hilir of Perak Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain.
Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
Najib took part in a tahlil recital for Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim at the Royal Mausoleum, led by Kedah Mufti Datuk Sheikh Fadhil Awang.
Sultan Abdul Halim, 89, passed away on Monday at Istana Anak Bukit.
He was born on Nov 28, 1927 at Istana Anak Bukit.
He made history as the first Sultan to become the Yang Di-pertuan Agong twice, in 1965 and in 2011.
Sultan Abdul Halim married Sultanah Bahiyah Tuanku Abdul Rahman in 1956.
They have three daughters - Tan Sri Tunku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim, Tunku Sarina Sultan Abdul Halim ,(April 30, 1960 - Aug 31, 1991) and Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim.
Sultanah Bahiyah passed away in 2003.
In 1975, Sultan Abdul Halim married a commoner, Sultanah Haminah Hamidun.
Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim was laid to rest in full royal tradition, next to Sultanah Bahiyah's grave.
Following the passing of Sultan Abdul Halim, his younger brother Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, 75, has been proclaimed as the 29th Sultan of Kedah on Tuesday.