Sultanah Bahiyah

Tunku Bahiyah was born on 24 August 1930 in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan. She was the eldest daughter of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad and Tunku Kurshiah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, who were then elected the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia.

She received her education at a Malay School in Seri Menanti and the Seremban Convent School. She later furthered her studies in United Kingdom and received a degree in Social Science from University of Nottingham.

Tunku Bahiyah married Tuanku Al-Mutassimu Billahi Muhibbudin Sultan Abdul Halim Al-Muadzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah of Kedah in 1956.

The royal couple had three daughters; two of whom are twins. They are Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Diraja Tunku Intan Shafinaz, Raja Puan Muda of Perak Dato’ Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Hajjah Soraya and Tunku Sarina (died on 31 August 1991).

In 1958, Tuanku Abdul Halim became Sultan of Kedah. Tunku Bahiyah was installed as the Sultanah of Kedah with his ascension to the throne.

From 1970, she served her five-year term as Raja Permaisuri Agong or Queen of Malaysia when Tuanku Abdul Halim became the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sultanah Bahiyah died in her sleep at 12:23 pm of cancer and old age on 26 August 2003 at Istana Kuala Cegar, Alor Setar.[1] She was laid to rest at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum in Alor Setar.

Sultanah Bahiyah was conferred various awards, both locally and abroad. In 1970, Emperor Hirohito of Japan awarded her the First Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Later in the same year, President Suharto of Indonesia awarded her the First Class of the Order of the Star of Mahaputera.

In 1973, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand awarded her the Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao.

Sultanah Bahiyah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by the University of Malaya where she served as the Chancellor from 1972 until 1986.

The general hospital in Alor Setar which is also the main referral and tertiary health centre in Northern Peninsular Malaysia was renamed in her honour to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

There is a highway in Alor Setar, Sultanah Bahiyah Highway (Federal Route ) was named after her.

SMK Sultanah Bahiyah, a secondary school in Alor Setar was named after her.

Sultanah Bahiyah Mosque, a mosque in Alor Setar was named after her.

Tuanku Bahiyah Residential College, a residential college at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur was named in honour of her.

Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah was the patron of various organisations such as:

• Kedah Orchid Association
• Blood Donors Association of Malaysia
• Family Planning Association of Kedah
• Children’s Welfare Organisation of Kedah
• Islamic Women’s Welfare Organisation of Kedah
• Lioness Club of Kedah
• Netball Association of Kedah
• Women’s Association of Universiti Utara Malaysia (SUTRANITA)
• Nottingham Graduates Association
• Ex-Servicemen Widows and Wives Association (BAKIABAH)
• Kedah Association for the Disabled
• Kedah Thalassaemia Association
• Association of Sultanah Bahiyah Secondary School Students

She has been awarded:

• Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
• Raja Permaisuri Agong

• Tuanku Bahiyah Residential College official site