Sultan Azlan Shah's demise felt by all Malaysians

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir described the passing of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, today as a great loss not only to the people of Perak but to all Malaysians.

On behalf of the Kedah government and the state's people, he expressed condolences to the Perak royal family on the demise of Sultan Azlan Shah.

Mukhriz said the late Perak Sultan was a loving, highly respected ruler who cared deeply for the welfare of the people, particularly his subjects in Perak Darul Ridzuan.

"May Allah Subhanahu Wataala bless the soul of the late Paduka Seri Sultan and place his soul among the believers'," he said in a statement today.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir had at 3.40pm today, announced through a live broadcast over Radio Televisyen Malaysia's TV1 that Sultan Azlan Shah passed away at 1.30pm.

The late Perak Sultan will be laid to rest at the royal mausoleum in Kuala Kangsar after Asar prayers tomorrow.

In JOHOR BAHARU, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin also conveyed his condolences to the Perak royal family through his official Twitter account and offered Al-Fatihah on the demise of Sultan Azlan Shah.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek also expressed his sadness over the Perak Sultan's passing.

"Condolences to the royal family and people of Perak. Al Fatihah," he said through his Facebook account. Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar through his Twitter page, also expressed sadness over the demise of Sultan Azlan Shah, who was known as the 'Father of Malaysian Hockey'.

"Received the news of the passing of KDYMM Tuanku Sultan Azlan Shah. Philosopher king of our era. Al Fatihah," he posted.

Defence Minister and acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on his Facebook page, wrote: "Condolences on the passing of DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, Almarhum Sultan Azlan Shah. Al Fatihah, let the soul of His Highness be blessed."

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, who is also MIC president, in his Facebook, said: "Condolences to the Perak royal family on the passing of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Azlan Shah."

MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, on his Facebook, said: "All MCA members express our condolences on the demise of DYMM Al-Marhum Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibuddin Shah, Sultan of Perak."