Symbolic royal send-off for Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Hajah Haminah

People-oriented Ruler Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Tuanku Hajah Haminah were accorded a symbolic royal send-off today upon completion of their five-year reign as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong.

Tuanku Abdul Halim, 89, who was proclaimed the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 11, 2012, and Tuanku Hajah Haminah left Istana Negara in a simple yet ceremonial event at 8.20am.

Their Majesties were accompanied by minister-in-attendance Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and wife Datin Seri Noraini Abdullah and also Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and his wife Datin Seri Hizam Awang Ahmad.

Tuanku Abdul Halim, who was in the official attire of Head of State known as the 'muskat', left Istana Negara in the official vehicle for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, escorted by seven outriders and 20 sovereign escorts from the Royal Armoured Corps.

As they left the Istana Negara, the royal couple passed by an Honour Guard mounted by members of the 1st Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment led by Major Mohamed Zaid Mohamed Tazali who stood in salute.

Simultaneously, the national anthem 'Negaraku' was played as the motorcade proceeded to Parliament Square for Their Majesties' royal send-off to their home state of Kedah.

The royal couple arrived at Parliament Square to the sound of the 'nafiri' (trumpets) played by 14 members of the Royal Armoured Corps and were welcomed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Their Majesties were escorted to the dais, and walked past an honour guard which stood in salute before the national anthem was played by the Royal Malay Regiment Central Band led by Captain Muhammad Nor Azizan Yahya.

At the same time, the personal colours of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was lowered followed by a 21-gun salute.

Tuanku Abdul Halim inspected the honour guard mounted by 103 members and four officers from the 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Mohd Izham Ahmad Rashidi.

The state event proceeded with the recital of a prayer by Federal Territory Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri. Then followed another salute and the playing of the national anthem.

Their Majesties then shook hands to bid farewell to the members of the Cabinet, heads of department and foreign diplomats before continuing their journey to the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport (KLIA).

As the motorcade of Their Majesties proceeded along Jalan Parlimen, people from all walks of life lined both sides of the road to bid farewell to Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

Their Majesties' arrival at the Bunga Raya Complex, KLIA, at about 9.45 am was greeted with the 'Lambaian Kasih' (Wave of Love) procession comprising about 400 escorts who accompanied the royal motorcade from the intersection of the complex to the porch.

Leading the procession were two elephants, Rambai@Pek and Myanthopyan, bearing palanquins decorated with a yellow umbrella and red velvet cloth and accompanied by eight mahouts dressed in warrior attire.

Also in the procession were 107 courtiers, 133 escorts in traditional attire representing people from the various races and participants from Permata Seni Tari.

The colourful procession organised by the National Department for Culture and Arts, was enlivened with the beating of drums by 20 drummers.

At the complex, the royal couple were welcomed by Najib and Rosmah, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak and his wife Datin Seri Raya Erom.

After Their Majesties took their position at the royal dais, 30 exponents staged a silat performance, after which the royal couple had light refreshments with the VIP guests.

Then, Dr Zulkifli again recited prayers and Their Majesties again proceeded to the royal dais.

Participants of the procession hailed 'Daulat Tuanku' and Their Majesties walked past a static honour guard to board the special aircraft.

Their Majesties, who were accompanied by Najib, Ahmad Zahid and their wives, waved to those present, bringing tears to many including Najib and Rosmah.

(Tuanku Abdul Halim's reigns as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong have special significance for the family of Najib because the Prime Minister's father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein was Prime Minister during the first reign of His Majesty from 1970 to 1975.)

The special aircraft carrying the royal couple took off at 11am for the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar, Kedah, escorted by three Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighter jets as a mark of respect and appreciation for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Tuanku Abdul Halim created history for having reigned as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice, as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Sept 21, 1970, to Sept 20, 1975, and as the 14th from Dec 13, 2011, to Dec 12, 2016.

His Majesty is succeeded by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. -- Bernama