KUALA LUMPUR: Sultan Ismail Petra of Kelantan died this morning after a long bout with an unspecified illness.
He was 70.
He took his last breath at 8.11am at the royal ward of the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Bharu.
His son, Sultan Muhammad V, is the current ruler of Kelantan since 2010.
Sultan Ismail first ascended the throne in 1979.
The Kelantan Palace, through its Instagram page, said Sultan Ismail's body is expected to be brought to the Istana Balai Besar for final rites before a royal funeral at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Kota Bharu after the Asar prayers.
"It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Sultan Ismail Petra at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital just now.
"All royal family members and the people, who want to pay their final respects to Almarhum Sultan Ismail Petra are requested to wear white baju melayu for men, or white robes (jubah) for women.
"The songkok must be adorned with a white band."