Tuanku Abdul Halim
Encyclopedia
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, GCB KStJ
(born 28 November 1927) is the designate Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(head of state) of Malaysia following his election in 2011, as well as the 27th and current Sultan of Kedah. He previously served as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970 to 1975. He will become the first person to hold the position twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office.
near Alor Star
as Tunku Abdul Halim, he was the second, but eldest surviving son, of Sultan Badlishah (born 1894; reigned 1943–1958), who later became the 27th Sultan of Kedah. His mother was Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 1910), who died in an automobile accident on 28 February 1935. Tunku Abdul Halim's maternal grandfather, Tunku Mahmud, was once Raja Muda or heir presumptive to the throne of Kedah.
He was educated at Alor Merah and Titi Gajah Malay schools and Sultan Abdul Hamid College
in Alor Star between 1946 and 1948. He went on to Wadham College, Oxford
and obtained a Diploma in Social Science and Public Administration. He subsequently joined the Kedah Administrative Service, serving in the Alor Star district office and later, the state treasury.
On 6 August 1949 he was appointed Raja Muda or heir apparent and succeeded as twenty-eighth Sultan of Kedah
on his father's death on 15 July 1958. He was installed at the Balai Besar in Alor Star on 20 February 1959.
between 21 September 1965 and 20 September 1970.
Tuanku Abdul Halim was elected as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong
of Malaysia and served his term in office from 21 September 1970 to 20 September 1975.
He is the third youngest monarch to ascend the throne of Yang di-Pertuan Agong
after Tuanku Syed Putra
of Perlis
and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu
.
During his kingship, Tuanku Abdul Halim presided over the first transfer of power of the civilian government when his uncle, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman
resigned in favour of his deputy Tun Abdul Razak. Tunku Abdul Rahman had felt that he should not serve under a nephew, given strict Malay royal protocol, but agreed to stay on as prime minister for one day of Tuanku Abdul Halim's reign.
to serve a five-year term beginning 13 December 2006. He is the third person to have been elected twice to this office, after Tuanku Jaafar
of Negeri Sembilan
and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin
of Terengganu
.
From 13 December 2011, he will become the first person to be elected twice as Yang di-Pertuan Agong
and the oldest sultan to be crowned in such position (at 84 years 15 days), beating the previous record holder, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz of Selangor, who was crowned at 73 years 49 days.
to commence on 13 December 2011. He will become the first person to hold the position twice.
He has 3 daughters. His first daughter is Tunku Soraya, who had a twin, Tunku Sarina. His last child is Tunku Intan Safinaz.
He has 5 grandchildren. Three grandsons, Raja Nabil Imran, Raja Idris Shah and Raja Siffudin Muadzam and two granddaughters, Raja Sarina Bahiyah and Raja Safia Azizah.
as the Sultan of Kedah. He is only the fourth Sultan in a line of 28 Sultans who have celebrated 50 years of reign in Kedah
.
In conjunction with the Golden Jubilee, 15 July 2008 was declared as a public holiday for the whole state of Kedah
. A ceremony of handing over the contributions in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee was held at the Istana Anak Bukit on 6 July 2008 by Kedah Menteri Besar
Azizan Abdul Razak
. Throughout the whole week of the Golden Jubilee, various events were held to commemorate the Sultan.
His style and title in full is: Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Al-Sultan Sir Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbudin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah.
.
His foreign honours are: Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum
- 1970 Collar of the Star of Mahaputra-1st Class - 1970 Collar of the Order of Pahlavi - 1971 Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ) - 1972 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) - 1972 Collar of the Order of Rajamitrabhom - 1973 Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (w/Collar) - 1974 Nishan-i-Pakistan, 1st Class - 1974
Venerable Order of Saint John
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
(born 28 November 1927) is the designate Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(head of state) of Malaysia following his election in 2011, as well as the 27th and current Sultan of Kedah. He previously served as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970 to 1975. He will become the first person to hold the position twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office.
Early career
Born at Istana Anak BukitAnak Bukit
Anak Bukit is the royal town of the northern state of Kedah, Malaysia. It is also the name of one of the state assembly constituencies in the Kedah State Assembly...
near Alor Star
Alor Star
Alor Setar, known as Alor Star between 2004 and 2008, is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia, and Kota Setar District's Administrative Centre. It is also a distribution center for manufacturing and agricultural products such as paddy, and the royal seat of the Kedah state since the establishment...
as Tunku Abdul Halim, he was the second, but eldest surviving son, of Sultan Badlishah (born 1894; reigned 1943–1958), who later became the 27th Sultan of Kedah. His mother was Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 1910), who died in an automobile accident on 28 February 1935. Tunku Abdul Halim's maternal grandfather, Tunku Mahmud, was once Raja Muda or heir presumptive to the throne of Kedah.
He was educated at Alor Merah and Titi Gajah Malay schools and Sultan Abdul Hamid College
Sultan Abdul Hamid College
The Sultan Abdul Hamid College is a premier school in Alor Setar, Malaysia. Formerly known as the Government English School, it is one of the oldest English schools to be established in the country. It boasts of an illustrious alumni roster that includes Prime Ministers Mahathir bin Mohamad and...
in Alor Star between 1946 and 1948. He went on to Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, located at the southern end of Parks Road in central Oxford. It was founded by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, wealthy Somerset landowners, during the reign of King James I...
and obtained a Diploma in Social Science and Public Administration. He subsequently joined the Kedah Administrative Service, serving in the Alor Star district office and later, the state treasury.
On 6 August 1949 he was appointed Raja Muda or heir apparent and succeeded as twenty-eighth Sultan of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
on his father's death on 15 July 1958. He was installed at the Balai Besar in Alor Star on 20 February 1959.
First Election as Deputy King
Tuanku Abdul Halim (as he became), served as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
between 21 September 1965 and 20 September 1970.
Election as King
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of Malaysia and served his term in office from 21 September 1970 to 20 September 1975.
He is the third youngest monarch to ascend the throne of Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
after Tuanku Syed Putra
Tuanku Syed Putra
Raja Syed Putra ibni Syed Hassan Jamalullail, KCMG was the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya, and later of Malaysia , and sixth Raja of Perlis from 1945 to 2000....
of Perlis
Perlis
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south...
and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu
Terengganu
Terengganu is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman...
.
During his kingship, Tuanku Abdul Halim presided over the first transfer of power of the civilian government when his uncle, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, AC, CH was Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya from 1955, and the country's first Prime Minister from independence in 1957. He remained as the Prime Minister after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the...
resigned in favour of his deputy Tun Abdul Razak. Tunku Abdul Rahman had felt that he should not serve under a nephew, given strict Malay royal protocol, but agreed to stay on as prime minister for one day of Tuanku Abdul Halim's reign.
Second election as Deputy King
On 2 November 2006, Tuanku Abdul Halim was for the second time elected Deputy Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
to serve a five-year term beginning 13 December 2006. He is the third person to have been elected twice to this office, after Tuanku Jaafar
Tuanku Jaafar
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, GCB was the tenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 26 April 1994 until 25 April 1999 and the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.-Early life and education:The second son of Tuanku Abdul Rahman...
of Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin is the 17th Sultan of Terengganu and the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the constitutional head of state of Malaysia...
of Terengganu
Terengganu
Terengganu is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman...
.
From 13 December 2011, he will become the first person to be elected twice as Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
and the oldest sultan to be crowned in such position (at 84 years 15 days), beating the previous record holder, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz of Selangor, who was crowned at 73 years 49 days.
Second election as King
In October 2011, Abdul Halim was elected to serve a second term as the Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
to commence on 13 December 2011. He will become the first person to hold the position twice.
Family Life
Tuanku Abdul Halim married twice:- In 1956 to Tuanku BahiyahTuanku BahiyahTuanku Bahiyah ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was the Sultanah of Kedah and served as the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975.-Early life:...
, daughter of Tuanku Abdul RahmanTuanku Abdul RahmanColonel Paduka Sri Sir Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad, GCMG was the first Supreme Head of State of the Federation of Malaya, eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan.-Early career:Born Tunku Abdul Rahman at Seri...
of Negeri SembilanNegeri SembilanNegeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
by whom he has three daughters. She served as Sultanah of Kedah and Raja Permaisuri AgongRaja Permaisuri AgongRaja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
. She died on 26 August 2003 at Istana Kuala Cegar in Alor Star
He has 3 daughters. His first daughter is Tunku Soraya, who had a twin, Tunku Sarina. His last child is Tunku Intan Safinaz.
He has 5 grandchildren. Three grandsons, Raja Nabil Imran, Raja Idris Shah and Raja Siffudin Muadzam and two granddaughters, Raja Sarina Bahiyah and Raja Safia Azizah.
- In 1975 to Cik Haminah binti HamidunSultanah Haminah of KedahSultanah Hajjah Haminah binti Hamidun is the current Sultanah of Kedah. Born a commoner from Bagan Serai, Perak, she married Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah on 25 December 1975 and was titled Che Puan Kedah until 9 January 2004 when she was promoted to Sultanah....
, a commoner from PerakPerakPerak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
, who was titled Che Puan Kedah until 9 January 2004 when she was promoted to Sultanah.
Golden Jubilee Celebrations
On 15 July 2008, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah celebrated his Golden JubileeGolden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
as the Sultan of Kedah. He is only the fourth Sultan in a line of 28 Sultans who have celebrated 50 years of reign in Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
.
In conjunction with the Golden Jubilee, 15 July 2008 was declared as a public holiday for the whole state of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
. A ceremony of handing over the contributions in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee was held at the Istana Anak Bukit on 6 July 2008 by Kedah Menteri Besar
Menteri Besar
The Menteri Besar is the chief executive of the state government for states in Malaysia with hereditary rulers. For states without a monarch, the title Chief Minister is used...
Azizan Abdul Razak
Azizan Abdul Razak
Dato' Seri Azizan bin Abdul Razak is the Menteri Besar of the Malaysian state of Kedah. His Parti Islam Se-Malaysia leads a coalition government of Kedah with PKR and the DAP after their victory in the 2008 Malaysian election. Ustaz Azizan is the first Menteri Besar of Kedah from a political...
. Throughout the whole week of the Golden Jubilee, various events were held to commemorate the Sultan.
Titles and styles
- 28 November 1927 6 August 1949: Yang Mulia Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah
- 6 August 1949 15 July 1958: Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Muda Kedah Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Sultan Badlishah
- 15 July 1958 present: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Sultan Badlishah
- 21 September 1970 20 September 1975: Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Sultan Badlishah
His style and title in full is: Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Duli Yang Maha Mulia is the royal title, equivalent to His Royal Highness, used to refer to state rulers in Malaysia.The phrase is also the title of the state anthem of Selangor, Malaysia, adopted in 1967...
Al-Sultan Sir Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbudin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah.
Honours
Tuanku Abdul Halim holds the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air ForceMarshal of the Air Force
Marshal of the Air Force is the English term for the most senior rank in a number of air forces. The ranks described by this term can properly be considered marshal ranks....
.
His foreign honours are: Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum
Order of the Chrysanthemum
is Japan's highest order. The Grand Cordon of the Order was established in 1876 by Emperor Meiji of Japan; the collar of the Order was added on January 4, 1888. Although technically the order has only one class, it can either be awarded with collar , or with grand cordon...
- 1970 Collar of the Star of Mahaputra-1st Class - 1970 Collar of the Order of Pahlavi - 1971 Knight of the Order of St John (KStJ) - 1972 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) - 1972 Collar of the Order of Rajamitrabhom - 1973 Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (w/Collar) - 1974 Nishan-i-Pakistan, 1st Class - 1974
Structures, buildings and institutions
- Sultan Abdul Halim HighwaySultan Abdul Halim HighwaySultan Abdul Halim Highway or Lebuhraya Sultan Abdul Halim, Federal route is a major highway in Kedah, Malaysia. It was named after Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah.- List of Interchanges :- See also :*Federal route 1...
and Sekolah Rendah Tunku Abdul Halim in Alor Star, the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Penang, Sultan Abdul Halim HospitalSultan Abdul Halim HospitalSultan Abdul Halim Hospital , formerly known as Hospital Sungai Petani, is a government-funded public hospital situated in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia...
and Sultan Abdul Halim Teachers' Trainee Institute in Sungai Petani and Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim in Jitra, Kedah are all; named after him. - Sultan Abdul Halim AirportSultan Abdul Halim AirportSultan Abdul Halim Airport is an airport that serves Alor Setar, a city in the state of Kedah in Malaysia.The airport, located in Kepala Batas, 13 km away from town, can handle up to 800,000 ppa. The new terminal is already operational by 5 May 2006 to cater for future traffic growth...
in Kepala Batas, Kedah and Polytechnic of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (POLIMAS) in JitraJitraJitra is a town in Kedah, Malaysia. It is located in the Kubang Pasu district.It is the fourth largest town in Kedah after Alor Setar, Sungai Petani and Kulim....
, was also given in honour of his name.