Thousands mourn late Sultan (Updated)

ALOR STAR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia has lost a great ruler with the passing of Kedah's Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

He said the late Sultan was a ruler who was close to the people and had their interests at heart.

He recalled meeting Sultan Abdul Halim when he was in charge of organising the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) as the Defence Minister.

He said the Sultan asked for a lift to be provided in the hall where LIMA was held to make moving up the levels easier.

He said he has continued to keep in touch with the Sultan and recalled a ruler who was a disciplined individual who was always punctual for events.

He said His Highness had always advised him to assist Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in governing the country.

"This is to retain harmony and peace," he said when paying his last respects to the late Kedah sovereign today.

Sultan Abdul Halim, 89, passed away at 2.30pm on Monday at the Istana Anak Bukit here and was the only Sultan to have been installed as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong twice.

He ruled as the fifth Agong from 1970 to 1975 and as the 14th Agong from 2011 to 2016.

The body of the late Sultan will be buried at the royal mausoleum at 4pm today after lying in state for the people and leaders to pay their last respects at Istana Anak Bukit.

Scores of dignitaries and thousands of people turned up at the Istana to pay their respects to a beloved ruler.

Also paying his respects was former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who described his relationship with the Sultan as a "good friend".

The fifth prime minister, who hails from Kedah, said he was saddened when he heard the news of the passing.

"This is a loss for the country as he was a Sultan and an Agong who was close to the people," he added.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng meanwhile said the Penang flag will be flown at half-mast for two days beginning today.

He expressed his condolences and also described the passing as a great loss to the country and the nation.
Also paying their last respects were former Kedah mentri besar Datuk Seri Mukriz Mahathir, PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim, former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, MCA Kedah Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Lee Chee Leong, former MCA vice-president Tan Sri Chor Chee Heng and Umno Penang Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman.