New Istana to host Tuanku Abdul Halim’s birthday celebration

A general view of the new Istana Negara. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah’s birthday celebrations tomorrow will, for the first time, be held at the new Istana Negara in Jalan Duta here.

Tuanku Abdul Halim was the first ruler to be installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the new national palace in a ceremony steeped in royal traditions in April. He is the 14th Agong since rotation system was implemented.

The historic installation saw His Majesty re-elected as the country’s head of state under a rotation system where the nine hereditary Malay rulers take turns to be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term each.

Tuanku Abdul Halim was first installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the fifth, for the first time at the age of 42 in 1970.

This time, the Istana Negara will once again play host to another celebration steeped in tradition in conjunction with Tuanku Abdul Halim’s birthday.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday is officially celebrated on the first Saturday of June, regardless of the Malay ruler’s actual date of birth. This year it is on June 2.

The birthday celebrations began last night with a “Yasin” recital and prayers at the National Mosque.

Tomorrow, the events will start in the morning with a trooping of the colours at the Sungai Besi army camp, followed by the paying of homage and an investiture at the Istana Negara.

This is the first time that the investiture will be held at the Istana Negara Throne Room, which can accommodate 1,000 people.

A royal tea reception will be held on Sunday at the Istana Negara, and is expected to be attended by about 3,000 people. — Bernama