The ceremony for Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah's installation as the 29th Kedah ruler will allow spectators to catch a glimpse of the glory of the Malay sultanate.

The last time Kedah witnessed such a ceremony was 59 years ago, when Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah was installed as the ruler of the state. The sultan passed away on Sept 11, 2017.

The royal palace Istana Anak Bukit is also set to make history as this will be the first time an installation ceremony is taking place there. The previous installation ceremonies took place at Istana Alor Setar.

Head of ceremonies Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah said in the past not all the sultans in the state were installed in accordance with the actual traditions and customs due to the prevailing circumstances then.

"According to historical records, Sultan Badlishah Sultan Abdul Hamid was appointed (as the 27th sultan) and there was no installation ceremony due to the Japanese occupation of Malaya," he said.

Syed Unan Mashri said with the consent of Sultan Sallehuddin, tomorrow's installation would take place amid pomp and splendour, with the ceremony steeped in traditions and customs observed by the Kedah Malay sultanate.

"But this time, there will be some improvements. Any custom or ritual seen as going against the teachings of Islam will be excluded. In perfecting the installation ceremony, the status of Islam will be exalted.

"Sultan Sallehuddin does not want proceedings that carry elements of mysticism. In fact, the ceremony will be filled with recitals of prayers and verses from the Quran," he said.

Noble qualities

Another unique feature about this ceremony is that Sultan Sallehuddin will wear a new and specially designed tengkolok or headdress that is based on the design of the headdress worn by the ruler's late father Sultan Badlishah.

Syed Unan Mashri said the headdress, named Seri Mahkota, symbolised the noble qualities and characteristics of the 29th Sultan of Kedah.

The headdress is fashioned out of a one-metre-long songket or silk material that is hand-woven from gold thread.

On Sultan Sallehuddin's attire, Syed Unan Mashri said the ruler would wear the traditional baju sikap during the installation ceremony.

"Tuanku has also said that he wants to use the sash that was used by the sultans in the past, which is now being kept in the state treasury. Tuanku will wear the sash together with his songket woven from gold thread," he said.

No royal ceremony is complete without the participation of the Kedah Royal Nobat orchestra and Sultan Sallehuddin's installation is no exception.

During the installation ceremony, the nobat orchestra, whose history dates back to 400 years, will play the Lagu Perang, among others.

The installation ceremony will begin with the arrival of Sultan Sallehuddin and Sultanah Maliha Ibni Almarhum Tengku Ariff at the Throne Room at 8.30am.

Special table

The royal couple will be accompanied by officials, led by the head of ceremonies, carrying the sceptre of religion, sceptre of the world, mace, sword and waist buckle.

After the head of ceremonies seeks the sultan's permission to begin the ceremony, the Datuk-datuk Bergelar will proceed to place the articles needed for the installation on a special table.

The articles comprise a copy of the Quran, letter of proclamation, pledge document, state keris and a box containing valuable items that symbolise the power and wealth of the Kedah sultan.

Kedah mufti Sheikh Fadzil Awang will then lead the recitation of prayer, following which the head of ceremonies will present Sultan Sallehuddin with a copy of the Quran.

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir will then proclaim the installation of the Kedah sultan, after which Sultan Sallehuddin will read out his pledge.

The head of the ceremonies will announce that Sultan Sallehuddinh has been installed as the 29th Sultan of Kedah. He will then shout "Daulat Tuanku" three times, with the guests witnessing the ceremony following suit.

The nobat musicians will play the song 'Allah Selamatkan Sultan', followed by a 21-gun salute.

The raja muda of Kedah will, on behalf of the royal family, read out his congratulatory message, followed by Mukhriz who will congratulate the sultan on behalf of the state government and the people.

Towards the end of the ceremony, the Kedah mufti will once again lead the recitation of the doa, following which the head of ceremony will seek the newly-installed sultan's permission to end the ceremony.

Syed Unan Mashri said the installation ceremony would be graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, the Malay rulers and the Sultan of Brunei or his representative.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her husband Anwar Ibrahim, as well as the various menteri besar and chief ministers, will also be in attendance.

On Sept 12, 2017, Sultan Sallehuddin was proclaimed the 29th Sultan of Kedah, succeeding Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah who passed away a day earlier.

Sultan Sallehuddin was born on April 30, 1942, and he is ninth among 14 children born to Sultan Badlishah Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah who had ruled Kedah from 1943 to 1958.

The sultan and his consort are blessed with two children, Tunku Sarafudin Badlishah and Tunku Shazuddin Ariff.

- Bernama