Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Saturday expressed his appreciation Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah on behalf of the government and the people for His Majesty's excellent performance as as Head of State.

Despite the state of health of His Majesty, Najib said Tuanku Abdul Halim was a high-spirited King and a great person.

"His Majesty was a very determined King and performed diligently as a Constitutional Monarch over the past five years," Najib said in his farewell speech at a State Banquet to mark the end of Tuanku Abdul Halim's reign as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara here.

Also gracing the occasion was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

"On behalf of the government and the people, I would like to express our greatest appreciation to Your Majesties for carrying out the duties as Head of State and the Constitutional Monarchy as stipulated in the Federal Constitution," said Najib.

In his speech titled 'Experienced and People's King', Najib said Tuanku Abdul Halim had carried out the role entrusted to him well which had attracted praise and honour for the King and country.

Also present were the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Najib also said that the people and him were proud for having His Majesty as the people's King over the concern displayed by the latter through his various charity and welfare work in Malaysia.

"It is proven that his character and his love for the people was clearly shown when His Majesty attended official functions and festivities...that has left an indelible mark on the people regardless of their background," said Najib.

He also praised Tuanku Abdul Halim for always being punctual, and insisted that such traits should be emulated by the people.

"Tuanku has never been late for the 8am official morning meeting between me and him on Wednesdays before the Cabinet (meeting)," said Najib.

On behalf of the government and the people, he also expressed his appreciation to Tuanku Hajah Haminah who had always been by His Majesty's side while attending official functions.

The guests then gave a round of applause to the royal couple.

Tuanku Abdul Halim will end his reign as the Head of State for the second time on Dec 12.

He will be succeeded by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong effective Dec 13 for a period of five years.

Tuanku Abdul Halim had served as the Fifth from Sept 21, 1970 until Sept 20, 1975. His term as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong began on Dec 13, 2011.

Najib said he was also honoured to be able to serve under the same Yang di-Pertuan Agong who also ruled during the time when his late father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was the prime minister.

"This extraordinary circumstances between my late father and Tuanku, and now between myself and His Majesty, as Tuanku says, he does not think that such a situation will happen again," he said.

According to Najib, it seemed like it was written that His Majesty would serve during the leadership of the two generations.

"Indeed, on behalf of myself, my family, the government and all Malaysians,...we will miss you a lot Tuanku as the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said.

The prime minister also said Malaysia was now among 43 countries in the world which continued to recognise its constitutional monarchy system.

In contemporary history, Najib said Tuanku Abdul Halim was now the second longest serving ruler in the world, for 58 years, after Queen Elizabeth II who has almost reached a tenure of 64 years.

He also said that the previous record was held by King Bhumibol Adulyadej from Thailand who died during his 70th year of rule.

"We're lucky and grateful for having a king who is very experienced and has seen the journey of Malaysia in various capacities," he said.

Najib ended his speech with a 'pantun' (Malay poem) which read:

Burung nuri terbang ke lembah,
Hinggap megah di tengah kota,
1Malaysia merafak sembah,
Daulat Tuanku Payung Mahkota.

Ampun Tuanku Seri Paduka,
Sembah takzim menjunjung tinggi,
Semoga karar di atas takhta,
Doa patik setulus hari.

-- BERNAMA