Royal parade marks 50 years of rule

Alor Star - Kedahans celebrated Sultan Abdul Halim Mu`adzam Shah`s 50th anniversary as the state`s Ruler amidst much pomp and ceremonial splendour yesterday.

The three-hour ceremony started with a 3.2km ceremonial procession along Lebuhraya Darulaman, from Wisma Darulaman to the Audience Hall at Medan Bandar.

Rain did not dampen the spirits of about 10,000 school children who lined up on both sides of the road to welcome the Sultan and Sultanah Tuanku Haminah Hamidun who were travelling on a royal barge Bahtera Emas Lapis Suasa.

The procession was led by about 60 students from SMK Sultanah Asma, SMK Keat Hwa and Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid marching bands and 50 school children who celebrated their birthdays yesterday.

The group was followed by three elephants representing the Malay sultanate armour.

Red robes were draped over the elephants – a male named Deli and two female named Mariam and Ita – to symbolise the state`s flag with the Golden Jubilee Celebration emblem.

Nine policemen on horses preceded the royal barge and following close behind were 100 civil servants and 50 village chiefs representing the state administration.

Fifty shots of the cannon were fired upon the arrival of the royal couple at Medan Bandar. The Sultan then inspected the guard of honour.

The ceremony continued at the Audience Hall where Kedah Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak proclaimed the start of the Golden Jubilee Celebration.

he ceremony was also attended by Raja Muda of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Malik Sultan Badlishah, Kedah royal families, state assemblymen, and the state and federal department heads.

The Sultan of Kedah, who was born on Nov 18, 1927 ascended the throne on July 15, 1958 following the demise of his father Almarhum Sultan Badlishah. He was officially installed as the 27th Sultan of Kedah on Feb 20 1959.

Various programmes have been lined up for the Golden Jubilee Celebration, including a community luncheon at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium on July 19, river festival at Tanjung Chali on Aug 1 and Aug 2 and a state expo at Darulaman Stadium carpark from July 23 until Aug 1.

Source: http://thestar.com.my (July 16, 2008)

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