Abdul Halim of Kedah

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Abdul Halim of Kedah

Role / Field:

Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.

Born:

1927-11-28

Died:

2017-09-11

Century / Era:

1927s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Al-Mu'tassimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah (Jawi: المعتصم بالله محب الدين سلطان عبدالحليم معظم شاه ابن المرحوم سلطان بدلي شاه; 28 November 1927 – 11 September 2017) was Sultan of Kedah from 1958 until his death in 2017, and served twice as the King of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975 and from 2011 to 2016. He was the first and only ruler to reign as king twice, as well as the oldest elected to the office. Abdul Halim was born at Istana Anak Bukit near Alor Setar as Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah, he was the second, but eldest surviving son, of Sultan Badlishah (1894–1958; reigned 1943–1958), who later became the 28th sultan of Kedah. Of Malay and Thai descent, his mother Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 29 April 1899), was a Kedah-born princess 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.

Career & Major Achievements

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, Abdul Halim was appointed Raja Muda or heir apparent, and served as regent on 9 March 1957, while his father was abroad from 12 March to 3 July 1957. He acceded as the 28th sultan of Kedah upon his father's death on 14 July 1958, and was installed at the Balai Besar, Kota Star Palace in Alor Star on 20 February 1959, in a ceremony not held since 1710.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Abdul Halim celebrated his silver jubilee on 15 July 1983 with his royal consort, Sultanah Bahiyah. To commemorate the occasion the Kedah government opened Jubli Perak Park at Sungai Petani, Kedah's second largest town. On 15 July 2008, Abdul Halim celebrated his golden jubilee as the Sultan of Kedah. He was the 4th sultan of Kedah in a line of 28 to reign for at least 50 years. In conjunction with the golden jubilee, 15 July 2008 was declared a public holiday for the state of Kedah.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1894: 1894 Milestone — Abdul Halim was born at Istana Anak Bukit near Alor Setar as Tunku Abdul Halim ibni Tunku Badlishah, he was the second, but eldest surviving son, of Sultan Badlishah (1894–1958; reigned 1943–1958), who later became the 28th sultan of Kedah.
2. 1899: 1899 Milestone — Of Malay and Thai descent, his mother Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 29 April 1899), was a Kedah-born princess who died in an automobile accident on 28 February 1934.
3. 1927 (1927-11-28): Birth of Abdul Halim of Kedah — Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
4. 1946: 1946 Milestone — He was educated at Alor Merah and Titi Gajah Malay schools and Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Star between 1946 and 1948.
5. 1949: 1949 Milestone — On 6 August 1949, Abdul Halim was appointed Raja Muda or heir apparent, and served as regent on 9 March 1957, while his father was abroad from 12 March to 3 July 1957.
6. 1958: 1958 Milestone — He acceded as the 28th sultan of Kedah upon his father's death on 14 July 1958, and was installed at the Balai Besar, Kota Star Palace in Alor Star on 20 February 1959, in a ceremony not held since 1710.
7. 1983: 1983 Milestone — Abdul Halim celebrated his silver jubilee on 15 July 1983 with his royal consort, Sultanah Bahiyah.
8. 2008: 2008 Milestone — On 15 July 2008, Abdul Halim celebrated his golden jubilee as the Sultan of Kedah.
9. 2017 (2017-09-11): Passing & Historical Legacy — Abdul Halim of Kedah passed away on 2017-09-11, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Abdul Halim of Kedah

True or False: “Abdul Halim was the first ruler to serve as King of Malaysia during two separate non-consecutive terms.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He served as Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970–1975 and again from 2011–2016.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Al Martino — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Albert Uderzo — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• Adam West — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): Iranian Shia cleric and politician; served as President of Iran from 1989 to 1997.
• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Shared historical date (11-28 · Died) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Adria Petty — Shared historical date (11-28 · Born) (1974): American director, editor, and artist known for music video work with Beyoncé.
• Abimael Guzmán — Shared historical date (09-11 · Died) (2021): Peruvian Maoist revolutionary leader, founder of the Shining Path.
• Albert Soboul — Shared historical date (09-11 · Died) (1982): Influential French historian specializing in the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras.
• 1927 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1927
• November 28 (11-28) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 28
• 2017 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2017
• September 11 (09-11) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Abdul Halim of Kedah