KUALA KANGSAR, May 29 — The late Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, 86, who passed away yesterday, was laid to rest today at the Al-Ghufran Perak Royal Mausoleum in Bukit Chandan, here, at 6.40pm.
The remains of His Highness was interred in between the graves of Sultan Idris II and Raja Ashman Shah, the new Sultan's younger brother who passed away in March 2012.
The weather was cloudy while the feelings of sadness filled the air as members of the Perak royal family, dignitaries and members of the public began to gather at the grounds of the imposing Ubudiah Mosque, just next to the royal mausoleum, as early as 1.30pm.
The casket bearing the late Perak Sultan's remains and placed on a “pedati khas” or special palanquin called “Seraja Diraja” in the royal colour of yellow, arrived at the mosque at 4.30pm for the funeral prayers.
The palanquin was carried in turns by 40 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysian Police for a distance of about two kilometres from the majestic Istana Iskandariah, the royal palace of the Perak Sultanate, located on the left bank of the Perak River.
An 86-gun salute from two cannons was fired into the air by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment as the royal funeral procession wound its way to the Ubudiah Mosque.
Thousands of people lined the road to the mosque to witness the last journey of their well-respected and beloved ruler.
After the funeral prayers led by the mosque imam Ustaz Mohd Helmi Ibrahim, the Sultan's remains were brought to the royal mausoleum for burial.
The “talkin” was read by Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria and the “doa” recited by Orang Kaya-Kaya Imam Paduka Tuan, Datuk Dr Muhammad Afifi Al-Akiti.
Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Bainun led the royal family in sprinkling rose water and scattering flower blooms on the late Sultan's grave accompanied by the “selawat”.
This was followed by the newly proclaimed Sultan of Perak, Sultan Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, his consort Tuanku Zara Salim, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Raja Dihilir Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja Puan Muda Perak Raja Normahani Raja Shahar Shah.
Then it was the turn of Raja Kecil Besar Perak Raja Iskandar Zulkarnain and his consort Datuk Seri Diraja Tunku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, other members of the royal family and several dignitaries.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir also sprinkled rose water and scattered flowers on the grave.
Also present at the funeral were State Secretary Datuk Puhat Mat Nayan, Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Yusop Husin and other government leaders.
Sultan Azlan Shah passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at 1.30pm yesterday, from natural causes. — Bernama
