Fond memories: A recap of Queen Elizabeth II's visits to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: People around the world, including in Malaysia, are saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom's longest-serving monarch.

She died on Thursday aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, her official summer residence in Scotland, after reigning for 70 years.

Queen Elizabeth II had visited at least 117 countries during her reign, according to media reports.

Malaysia, as one of the Commonwealth countries, had special moments with the Queen as well when she visited this country three times - in 1972, 1989 and 1998.

Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to visit Malaysia in 1972, where she was hosted by the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah. Malaysia was the third stop of her tour of Southeast Asia at that time.

Accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, she visited a number of local attractions including the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuching, Sarawak. An archived picture also showed that she attempted to tap a rubber tree during the visit.

The Queen's visit in 1989 was part of the 11th Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting, where she graced a series of events in Kuala Lumpur, including a visit to the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam.

Her final visit to Malaysia was in 1998 when the country hosted the 16th Commonwealth Games.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay, when speaking at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebration here on June 16, 2022, said Her Majesty had fond memories of her trips to Malaysia.

Hay said he had an audience with the queen to receive his credentials before he came to Malaysia in 2019.

"During the meeting, I was struck by her lively memories of her three trips here, particularly for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in 1998," he said.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, when congratulating Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee celebration on June 5, described her as a ruler who cared about the welfare of the people and dedicated to serving the people in Britain and the Commonwealth.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah met Queen Elizabeth II on Dec 13, 2019, where they attended a luncheon that was held at Buckingham Palace, London, in conjunction with the seven-day special visit of Their Majesties to England from Dec 9, 2019.

Meanwhile, Foreign minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah has extended Malaysia's sincere condolences to the British monarch's family, the people and the government of the UK on the passing of the Queen, saying Her Majesty was a towering figure and led a lifetime of dedication and service to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth.

According to media reports, the queen had mobility and health issues for the past 12 months, and had to cancel many engagements on doctor's advice.

Her final public appearance was during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June marking the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

-- BERNAMA