ALOR STAR: "Allah selamat Sultan Mahkota, Berpanjangan usia di atas Takhta, Memelihara ugama Nabi kita, Negeri Kedah serata-rata."
Above are the lyrics of Kedah state anthem. With just four lines, normally it does not take long to be played.
However, the song was played at the slowest tempo by the military brass band today, making it appear that it was taking forever.
Those present the Istana Anak Bukit compound sunk into a deep sorrowful feeling as the song was played to accompany a royal chariot that carried the coffin of Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim for his final 11 kilometer journey to the royal mausoleum in Jalan Langgar.
An 89-gun salute, symbolising the sultan’s age, was fired as the chariot left the palace.
For almost six decades, Kedahans have been singing the state anthem at official events attended by Sultan Abdul Halim and today, the song accompanied the final departure of the 28th Sultan of Kedah from the palace.
Kedahans, who are still in shock and saddened by the demise of their beloved sultan on Monday, began gathering outside the palace since 8am although the time for members of the public to pay their last respect only started at 11am.
By noon, over 10,000 mourners from all walks of life had thronged the palace to bid farewell to the 89-year-old ruler.
The royal funeral was steeped in tradition, beginnig with a 21-gun salute, fired at 7am this morning to mark the passing of the Sultan of Kedah.
It was followed by royal ‘bersiram’ (bathing) and ‘kafan’ ceremonies, before the sulta's body was taken for final prayers led by Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Fadhil Awang.
The final prayers had to be carried out in several rounds following an overwhelming number of Kedahan Muslims who arrived in groups to take part in the ritual.
Kedah-born comedian Mazlan Ahmad or popularly known as Lan Pet Pet who just returned from performing haj in Mecca, drove all the way from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kedah after hearing the news.
According to Mazlan, he was planning to seek audience with Sultan Abdul Halim after he came back from Mecca.
"I often met Tuanku (Sultan Abdul Halim) in person and even before I got married I went to see him to get his blessings.
"The last time I met him was last year when he was still the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"He was not only a ruler but he was also a teacher and a father figure to me. Kedah has lost such a great ruler who always looked after the welfare of the rakyat," said Mazlan who arrived at the palace at 8am.
A 56-year-old housewife Siti Asa Ismail said she could not believe when she heard about the passing of the Sultan from her daughter at 4pm yesterday and asked her daughter to verify the news which went viral on social media.
Teachers, Tew Siuw Ling and Lee Guik See in their 50s, were planning to attend the Sultan's next year's Aidilfitri open house just to meet the Kedah royalties in person.
"We never had a chance to do so due to hectic schedule and both of us were looking forward for the visit next year.
"Now we will never have a chance to meet him," said Tew.
At noon, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V led dignitaries to pay their last respects to his predecessor.
Also present was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi, who represented Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is away on a state visit to the United States.
At the royal mausoleum in Jalan Langgar, a sombre atmosphere enveloped as the chariot led by a group of 55 men carrying Kedah royal symbols arrived about 4pm.
Sultan Abdul Halim was laid rest next to the grave of his first wife, Almarhumah Sultanah Bahiyah, who passed away in August 2003 after losing a battle with cancer.
The ceremony was witnessed Sultanah Haminah Hamidun and Sultan Abdul Halim's younger brother Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, who was proclaimed as his successo
r, accompanied by the new sultan's wife Puan Sri Tengku Maliha Tengku Ariff and also Kedah royal members.
Almarhum's daughter Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim who sat behind Tunku Salehuddin was sorrowful throughout the funeral.
Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Minister at the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharom.
The funeral ceremony begins at 4.28pm when the coffin was lowered into the grave by members of the Armed Forces.
The talkin (funeral recital) was led by Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Fadzil Awang.
Tunku Salehuddin led the royal families to pour fragrant water and place flowers on Almarhum sultan's grave, followed by Tengku Maliha and Tuanku Haminah.
Meanwhile, some 200 members of the public gathered under scorching heat outside the royal mausoleum to catch the glimpse on the ceremony.
Zairon Zakaria, 43, who came all the way from Padang Serai said she had paid her last respect to the Almarhum sultan at the palace at 11am.
Although they were not allowed to attend the funeral, Zairon was satisfied to be able to be outside the compound where the funeral was taking place.
Shukri Hassan , 78, said he could not join mourners at the palace due to poor health and was waiting at the royal mausoleum since 2pm.
"I could not help shedding tears when I heard the sound of nobat (royal musical instruments) being played inside the mausoleum as it hit me that my beloved sultan has gone forever.
"It is such a major loss not only to us in Kedah but I believe to the whole country as Sultan Abdul Halim was the only head of state who had served twice as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said with teary eyes.
Sultan Abdul Halim was born on Nov 28, 1927 at Istana Anak Bukit. He was installed as the Sultan of Kedah in 1958 and the oldest surviving son of the 27th Sultan of Kedah, Almarhum Sultan Badlishah Sultan Abdul Hamid.
He made history as the first Sultan to become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice.