Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, DMN GCB KStJ (28 November 1927 – 11 September 2017) was the 28th Sultan of Kedah, reigning from 1958 to 2017. He served as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975, and as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 2011 to 2016. He was the first person to reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office. Immediately prior to his death, he was the second longest-reigning living monarch in the world after Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Biography

Early career

Born at Istana Anak Bukit near Alor Setar as Tunku Abdul Halim, he was the second, but eldest surviving son, of Sultan Badlishah (1894-1958; reigned 1943–1958), who later became the 27th Sultan of Kedah. Of Malay and Thai descent, his mother was the Kedah-born princess Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 1899), who died in an automobile accident on 28 February 1934. Abdul Halim's maternal grandfather, Tunku Mahmud, was once Raja Muda (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, Tuanku Abdul Halim was appointed Raja Muda or heir apparent, and acceded as the twenty-eighth Sultan of Kedah on his father's death on 14 July 1958. He was installed at the Balai Besar, Kota Star Palace in Alor Star on 20 February 1959, in a ceremony not held since 1710.

First election as Deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

Tuanku Abdul Halim (as he became) served as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 21 September 1965 to 20 September 1970.

First election as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

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 was 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.

Second election as Deputy Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

On 2 November 2006, Tuanku Abdul Halim was for the second time elected Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong to serve a five-year term. He is the first person to have been elected twice to this office.

Second election as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong

In October 2011, Abdul Halim was elected to serve a second term as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which commenced on 13 December 2011. He is the first regnant sultan to hold the position twice. He is also the oldest Malay Ruler to be installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 84 years and 15 days old, surpassing the previous record holder, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz of Selangor, who was installed at 73 years and 49 days old. He was officially installed on 11 April 2012 at Istana Negara.

During his tenure as Yang Di Pertuan Agong, a Council of Regency consisting of his brothers Tunku Annuar (d. May 2014), Tunku Sallehuddin, Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani, and daughter Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz was assigned to discharge Abdul Halim's duties as Sultan of Kedah. His tenure as Yang Di Pertuan Agong ended on 12 December 2016.

Family life

Tuanku Abdul Halim had two wives:

1. Sultanah Bahiyah, daughter of Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan, married 1956. She served as Sultanah of Kedah (1958-2003) and Raja Permaisuri Agong (1970-1975). She died on 26 August 2003 at Istana Kuala Cegar in Alor Star. They had three daughters:

• Yang Teramat Mulia (Her Highness) Tunku Soraya (born 30 April 1960), now known as Duli Yang Amat Mulia, Raja Puan Muda Perak.
• Yang Teramat Mulia (Her Highness) Tunku Sarina (30 April 1960 - 31 August 1991)
• Yang Teramat Mulia (Her Highness) Brigadier-General Tunku Puteri Dato' Seri Diraja Intan Safinaz binti Tuanku AlHaj Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, Tunku Panglima Besar Kedah and Member of the Kedah Regency Council (born 22 July 1966). She is the Tunku Temenggong of Kedah.

Through Tunku Soraya, who married Duli Yang Amat Mulia Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain, son of Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak and current Raja di-Hilir Perak (the Heir Presumptive of Perak), they had three grandsons and two granddaughters:

• Yang Amat Mulia (His Highness) Raja Nabil Imran Aziz (born 1986)
• Yang Amat Mulia (His Highness) Raja Idris Shah (born 1989)
• Yang Amat Mulia (Her Highness) Raja Sarina Intan Bahiyah (born 1991)
• Yang Amat Mulia (Her Highness) Raja Safia Azizah (born 1996)
• Yang Amat Mulia (His Highness) Raja Siffudin Muadzam' Shah (born 2001)

2. Sultanah Haminah, married 1975. A commoner from Perak, she was titled Che Puan Kedah until 9 January 2004 when she was crowned as Sultanah. She is serving as Raja Permaisuri Agong during his second term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. She has no children.

Death

Sultan Abdul Halim died at 2.30 pm MST, 11 September 2017, at the age of 89, at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar. He was buried at Kedah Royal Mausoleum in Langgar.

Golden Jubilee celebrations

On 15 July 2008, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah celebrated his Golden Jubilee 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.

Titles and styles

• 28 November 1927 - 13 May 1943: His Highness (Yang Amat Mulia) Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah
• 13 May 1943 - 6 August 1949: His Highness (Yang Teramat Mulia) Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Sultan Badlishah
• 6 August 1949 - 15 July 1958: His Highness (Duli Yang Teramat Mulia) Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Sultan Badlishah, The Raja Muda of Kedah
• 15 July 1958 - 21 September 1970: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, The Sultan of Kedah
• 21 September 1970 - 20 September 1975: His Majesty (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong V
• 20 September 1975 - 13 December 2011: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, The Sultan of Kedah
• 13 December 2011 – 12 December 2016: His Majesty (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIV
• 13 December 2016 – 11 September 2017: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, The Sultan of Kedah

His style and title in full on 13 December 2016 became: Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbudin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, Sultan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman (His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbudin Tuanku al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of Kedah).

Military grades

Tuanku Abdul Halim held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force in his previous constitutional duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces as well as the ranks of Field Marshal of the Malaysian Army and Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Since 1972 he was the Royal Malay Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, and also performed the same functions for the Malaysian Army's Royal Service Corps.

Honours

National and State Honours

• Kedah:
  • Grand Master of the State of Kedah Star of Valour (since 15 July 1958)
  • Founding Grand Master and Member of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (since 21 February 1964)
  • Founding Grand Master and Member of the Halimi Family Order of Kedah (since January 1973)
  • Grand Master of the Kedah Supreme Order of Merit (since 15 July 1958)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Supreme Order of Sri Mahawangsa (since 2005)
  • Grand Master of the State of Kedah Star of Gallantry (since 15 July 1958)
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Grand Commander (SPMK) of the Exalted Order of the Crown of Kedah (since 21 February 1964)
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Grand Companion (SSDK) of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (since 21 September 1973)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Order of Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (since 2008)
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Commander (DHMS) of the Order of Loyalty to Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (since 15 July 1983)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Glorious Order of the Crown of Kedah (since January 2001)
• Malaysia (twice as Yang di-Pertuan Agong):
  • Recipient of Order of the Royal House of Malaysia (1970 & 2012)
  • Member (DMN, 1959) and Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (1970-1975 & 2011-2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (1970-1975 & 2011-2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (1970-1975 & 2011-2016)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Order of Merit of Malaysia (in 1975 & 2011-2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order for Important Services (2011-2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Royal Household of Malaysia (1970-1975 & 2011-2016)
• Johor:
  • First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I, September 1983)
• Kelantan:
  • Recipient of the Royal Family Order (Al-Yunusi Star) (DK, July 1959)
• Negeri Sembilan:
  • Member of the Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan (DKNS, August 1982)
• Pahang:
  • First Class Member of the Family Order of the Crown of Pahang (DK I, 14 July 1987)
• Perak:
  • Member of the Royal Family Order of Perak (DK, May 1986)
• Perlis:
  • Member of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (DK, June 1980)
• Selangor:
  • First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I, September 1978)
• Terengganu:
  • First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Terengganu (DK I, March 1985)
• Malacca:
  • Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM)
• Sarawak:
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP, April 1977)

Foreign Honours

• Brunei: Recipient of Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB)
• Japan:
  • Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (1970)
  • Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
• Indonesia: First Class Recipient of the Collar of the Order of the Star of Mahaputera (1970)
• Iran:
  • Collar of the Order of Pahlavi (1971)
  • Commemorative Medal of the 2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire (14 October 1971)
• United Kingdom:
  • Associated Knight of the Venerable Order of St John (KStJ) (1972)
  • Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) (1972)
• Thailand:
  • Knight of the Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn (1973)
  • Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri (2 September 2013)
• Spain: Collar of the Order of Charles III (1974)
• Pakistan: First Class Recipient of Nishan-e-Pakistan (1974)

Structures, buildings and institutions

• Sultan Abdul Halim Highway and Sekolah Rendah Tunku Abdul Halim in Alor Star, the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Penang, Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital 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 Muadzam Shah Bridge, also known as the Penang Second Bridge, was named after him on 1 March 2014.
• Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kepala Batas, Kedah and Polytechnic of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (POLIMAS) in Jitra, was also given in honour of his name.