Late Sultan Azlan Shah laid to rest

KUALA KANGSAR: In keeping with age-old tradition, the body of the late Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak was carried on a yellow pedati (carriage) shaded by white umbrellas to his final resting place at the Royal Mausoleum next to the Ubudiah Mosque here.

Members of the armed forces and police led the hearse in the procession from Istana Iskandariah to the mosque where prayers were performed.

They were accompanied by court musicians playing nobat nafiri and the state’sOrang-Orang Besar Jajahan (district chieftains).

Walking behind the open carriage was a grim-looking Sultan Nazrin Shah, his consort Tuanku Zara Salim and other members of the Perak royal family.

All along the way, 86 cannon shots were fired to mark each year of Sultan Azlan Shah’s life.

Also in the procession were Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and state executive councillors.

A huge crowd waited for the arrival of the body in front of the mosque. They stayed on for the burial despite the threat of a thunderstorm.

Sultan Azlan Shah was laid to rest after asar prayers next to his son Raja Kecil Sulong Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah, who died at the age of 54 on March 30, 2012.

Earlier, royalty, politicians, prominent businessmen, foreign dignitaries, judges and lawyers joined in bidding farewell to Sultan Azlan Shah.

Throughout the lying in state, an endless stream of people came to pay their last respects to the late Ruler.

Among the earliest to pay their last respects were Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who had rushed back to Malaysia from China.

The Prime Minister and wife, who arrived at 8.45am, were led to the Balairong Seri (Throne Room) by Raja Dr Nazrin Shah where Sultan Azlan Shah’s remains were placed on a three-tier catafalque that was draped in yellow and the state flag.

Four uniformed men representing the army, navy, air force and police stood guard.

Sultan Azlan Shah died at 1.30pm on Wednesday at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.

He leaves behind Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun Mohd Ali, son Raja Dr Nazrin Shah and daughters Datuk Seri Raja Azureen, Datuk Seri Raja Eleena and Datuk Seri Raja Yong Sofia.

Sultan Sharafuddin was the first of the Malay Rulers to offer his condolences, and Raja Dr Nazrin Shah shed tears when the Selangor Ruler hugged him.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah, and the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah were among the heads of state to pay their final respects.

Others included Muhyiddin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng represented the state in honouring the late Sultan.

Both Barisan Nasional and DAP candidates for the Teluk Intan by-election Datuk Mah Siew Keong and Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud were also present.

Sapura Kencana president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin, Perak-born fashion designer to the stars and VIPs Datuk Radzuan Radziwill and lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga were also at Istana Iskandariah. -Star