Abdul Halim of Kedah

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.[1] Of Malay and Thai descent, his mother was the Kedah-born princess Tunku Sofiah binti Tunku Mahmud (born 29 April 1910), 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.[2]

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.[3]

Tuanku Abdul Halim celebrated his silver jubilee on 15 August 1983 with his royal consort, Sultanah Bahiyah. To commemorate this occasion the Kedah government opened Jubli Perak Park at Sungai Petani, Kedah's second largest town.

On 15 July 2008, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah celebrated his Golden Jubilee as the Sultan of Kedah. He was only the fourth sultan in a line of 28 who reigned in Kedah for at least 50 years.[6]

In conjunction with the Golden Jubilee, 15 July 2008 was declared as a public holiday for the state of Kedah.[7] A ceremony of handing over the contributions in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee was held at the Istana Anak Bukit on 6 July 2008 by Kedah Chief Minister Azizan Abdul Razak. Throughout the week of the Golden Jubilee, various events were held to commemorate the Sultan.

Tuanku Abdul Halim served as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 21 September 1965 to 20 September 1970.

Abdul Halim in a carriage with Elizabeth II on a state visit to London, 1974.

Tuanku Abdul Halim was elected as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and served his term in office from 21 September 1970 to 20 September 1975. He was the third youngest monarch to ascend the throne of Yang di-Pertuan Agong after Tuanku Syed Putra of Perlis and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu.

During his kingship, Tuanku Abdul Halim presided over the first transfer of power of the civilian government when his uncle, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman resigned in favour of his deputy Tun Abdul Razak. Tunku Abdul Rahman had felt that he should not serve under a nephew, given strict Malay royal protocol, but agreed to stay on as prime minister for one day of Tuanku Abdul Halim's reign.[8]

On 2 November 2006, Tuanku Abdul Halim was elected for the second time to serve a five-year term as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He was the first person to have been elected to this office twice.

In October 2011, Abdul Halim was elected to a second term as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which commenced on 13 December 2011. He was the first regnant sultan to hold the position twice.[9] He was also the oldest Malay Ruler to be installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 84 years and 15 days old, surpassing the previous record holder, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz of Selangor, who was installed at 73 years and 49 days old. He was installed on 11 April 2012 at Istana Negara.

During his tenure as Yang Di Pertuan Agong, a Council of Regency consisting of his brothers Tunku Annuar (d. May 2014), Tunku Sallehuddin, Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani, and daughter Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz was assigned to discharge Abdul Halim's duties as Sultan of Kedah.[10] His tenure as Yang Di Pertuan Agong ended on 12 December 2016.

•  Kedah:[17]
  • Grand Master of the State of Kedah Star of Valour (since 15 July 1958)
  • Founding Grand Master and Member of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (since 21 February 1964)
  • Founding Grand Master and Member of the Halimi Family Order of Kedah (since January 1973)
  • Grand Master of the Kedah Supreme Order of Merit (since 15 July 1958)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Supreme Order of Sri Mahawangsa (since 2005)
  • Grand Master of the State of Kedah Star of Gallantry (since 15 July 1958)
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Grand Commander (SPMK) of the Exalted Order of the Crown of Kedah (since 21 February 1964)
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Grand Companion (SSDK) of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (since 21 September 1973)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Order of Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (since 2008)
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Commander (DHMS) of the Order of Loyalty to Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (since 15 July 1983)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Glorious Order of the Crown of Kedah (since January 2001)
•  Malaysia (twice as Yang di-Pertuan Agong):
  • Recipient of Order of the Royal House of Malaysia (1970 & 2012)
  • Member (DMN, 1959) and Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (1970–1975 & 2011–2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (1970–1975 & 2011–2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (1970–1975 & 2011–2016)
  • Founding Grand Master of the Order of Merit of Malaysia (in 1975 & 2011–2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order for Important Services (2011–2016)
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Royal Household of Malaysia (1970–1975 & 2011–2016)
•  Johor:
  • First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I, September 1983)
•  Kelantan:
  • Recipient of the Royal Family Order (Al-Yunusi Star) (DK, July 1959)
•  Negeri Sembilan:
  • Member of the Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan (DKNS, August 1982)
•  Pahang:
  • First Class Member of the Family Order of the Crown of Pahang (DK I, 14 July 1987)
•  Perak:
  • Member of the Royal Family Order of Perak (DK, May 1986)
•  Perlis:
  • Member of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (DK, June 1980)
•  Selangor:
  • First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I, September 1978)
•  Terengganu:
  • First Class Member of the Royal Family Order of Terengganu (DK I, March 1985)
•  Malacca:
  • Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM)
•  Sarawak:
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP, April 1977)

•  Brunei:
  • Recipient of Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB, 1 April 2002)[18]
•  Japan:
  • Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (1970)
  • Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun[18]
•  Indonesia:
  • First Class Recipient of the Collar of the Order of the Star of Mahaputera (1970)
•  Iran:
  • Collar of the Order of Pahlavi (1971)
  • Commemorative Medal of the 2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire (14 October 1971)[19]
•  United Kingdom:
  • Associated Knight of the Venerable Order of St John (KStJ) (1972)
  • Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) (1972)
•  Thailand:
  • Knight of the Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn (1 February 1973)
  • Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri (30 January 2013)
•  Spain:
  • Collar of the Order of Charles III (1974)
•  Pakistan:
  • First Class Recipient of Nishan-e-Pakistan (1974)

Several places were named after him, including:

Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery

• Sultan Abdul Halim Highway in Alor Setar, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery, a museum in Alor Setar, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Alor Setar, Kedah
• SK Tunku Abdul Halim, a primary school in Alor Setar, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Penang
• Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Mosque in Sungai Petani, Kedah
• Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Sultan Abdul Halim in Sungai Petani, Kedah
• Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim, a secondary school in Jitra, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, also known as the Penang Second Bridge, was named after him on 1 March 2014.
• Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kepala Batas, Kedah
• Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (POLIMAS) in Jitra, was also given in honour of his name.
• Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim in Kuala Lumpur, formerly known as Jalan Duta
• Kompleks Penerangan & Penyiaran Sultan Abdul Halim in Alor Setar, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah International Islamic University in Kuala Ketil, Kedah
• Kem Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (formerly known as Kem Tok Jalai), a military camp in Jitra, Kedah
• Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Football Cup