The people (rakyat) of Kedah are proud and elated over the appointment of the Sultan of Kedah as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time after completing his term as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1975.
They described the appointment of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, 84, as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time as a highly improbable historical event as the King’s term was according to rotation among the nine Malay rulers.
Sultan Abdul Halim was first appointed Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 23 1970 and was installed on Feb 20, 1971 for a five-year term ending on Sept 20, 1975.
Wan Nasri Wan Abdul Rahman, 59, who attached to the Sultan’s office as “Orang Balai Besar”, said: “As a Kedahan and working in the office of Tuanku since 1977, I am very proud and happy.
“I cannot express my happiness in words and I am sure the people of Kedah also feel the same. Many events have been organised to celebrate the appointment of the Sultan as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
This shows the joy of the rakyat over the appointment of His Highness,” he told Bernama.
For Marzuki Md Isa, 59, a former cameraman of the state government official newspaper Warta Darulaman, Sultan Abdul Halim is a ruler who is dedicated and firm in discharging his responsibilities in ruling the state.
“His Highness whilst being amiable is firm in ensuring his daily duties are well carried out,” he told Bernama.
Prior to his retirement last year, Marzuki who was frequently assigned to cover various functions of the Sultan, said Tuanku was always concerned about the people’s welfare.
State government employee, Jamaliah Harun, 43, said when Sultan Abdul Halim was appointed the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong in December 2006, she had fervently hoped that Tuanku would appointed Yang di-Pertuan Agong again.
“At that time, I was really hoping that the Sultan would rule the nation for the second time and I am very happy that it has now become a reality,” she said, adding that she was now praying for the Sultan’s good health to rule the nation well.
Ahmad Tarmizi Ibrahim, 35, who is self-employed, said he hoped the appointment of Sultan Abdul Halim as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was a blessing for all the people in the country.
“His Highness as Sultan of the people, was always meeting the rakyat especially in time of need. “I can still remember when I was a flood victim in November last year, His Highness made his way to look into the plight of the people at the relief centre I was in,” he said.
– Bernama
CJMY
Jimmy Tan
