The granddaughter of the late Kedah Sultan, Raja Sarina Iskandar has posted a touching tribute for her grandfather, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah who passed away earlier today.

In an Instagram post, Raja Sarina recalled her memory with Almarhum and his sacrifices for the country and the state.

She said Kedah and Malaysia had "lost one of their greatest kings".

Dearest Tok,

“Today and forever, Kedah and Malaysia have lost one of their greatest kings. Your dedication to Kedah and Malaysia has inspired me growing up. When you were Agong for the second time at the age of 83, I moved in with you at Istana Negara.

“It was then that I saw for the first time the behind the scenes of your life. I saw you skip your meals to practise your speeches or to be in the office. Which 80-something man would do that? Most of us dream of retiring at 50 if we can! But you never could even if you wanted to. And there were times, more often than people knew, when you were ill but still continued with your Agong and Sultan duties.

“In between functions you would be in the hospital ward. When you would leave the ward, I would watch you on TV looking normal as you greet the the PM, government ministers and the rakyat. But as soon as the event was over, you would return to the hospital ward with tubes connected to your body. Even on your sickest day, you would be on time. You would never make anyone wait.

“This is the side of a king no one knows. You don't simply sit on a throne and enjoy your riches despite what many ignorantly think. There are sacrifices because you can't have a normal life. There is no privacy and no normal schedule. Your status is an amanah from Allah.

“People are unforgiving when leaders make mistakes and my Tok always made sure he did the very best. When I told him this blog or that person insulted him, he was never angry. He was calm and would simply say: "I did my best."

“You did the very best and more your whole life Tok. The reason I know how to be a good princess is because you taught me how. I love you so much Tok, you're forever my Sultan. Al-Fatihah.”


Dearest Tok, Today and forever, Kedah and Malaysia have lost one of their greatest kings. Your dedication to Kedah and Malaysia has inspired me growing up. When you were Agong for the second time at the age of 83, I moved in with you at Istana Negara. It was then that I saw for the first time the behind the scenes of your life. __ I saw you skip your meals to practise your speeches or to be in the office. Which 80-something man would do that? Most of us dream of retiring at 50 if we can! But you never could even if you wanted to. And there were times, more often than people knew, when you were ill but still continued with your Agong and Sultan duties. __ In between functions you would be in the hospital ward. When you would leave the ward, I would watch you on TV looking normal as you greet the the PM, govt ministers and the rakyat. But as soon as the event was over, you would return to the hospital ward with tubes connected to your body. Even on your sickest day, you would be ON TIME. You would never make anyone wait. __ This is the side of a king no one knows. You don't simply sit on a throne and enjoy your riches despite what many ignorantly think. There are sacrifices because you can't have a normal life. There is no privacy and no normal schedule. Your status is an amanah from Allah. __ People are unforgiving when leaders make mistakes and my Tok always made sure he did the very best. When I told him this blog or that person insulted him, he was never angry. He was calm and would simply say: "I did my best." __ You did the very best and more your WHOLE life Tok. The reason I know how to be a good princess is because you taught me how. I love you so much Tok; you're forever my Sultan. Al-Fatihah.

A post shared by Raja Sarina