Yahya Petra
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In full, Almarhum Al-Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Petra (December 10, 1917- March 29, 1979) was the sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (roughly equivalent to King) of Malaysia from September 21, 1975 to his death, and twelfth (by some reckoning tenth) Sultan of modern Kelantan (1960-1979).
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[edit] Early Career
He was born Tengku Yahya Petra at Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu. He was the second son of Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV (b. 1897; reigned 1944-1960) but the first by his commoner wife, Embong binti Daud (1899-1971), who was later promoted to the style Che Ampuan Besar by her son. [1]
The young Tengku Yahya Petra was raised by his childless uncle, Tengku Ismail, later Sultan Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV. He was sent to the Francis Light School in Penang before continuing his studies in England. His uncle, Sultan Ismail, appointed him Tengku Temenggong on July 21, 1939. He was later promoted to Tengku Bendahara on February 6, 1945 by his father, then Sultan Ibrahim. He served in various Kelantan civil service posts from 1941 to 1948. [2]
[edit] The Kelantan Succession Dispute
The eldest son of Sultan Ibrahim was Tengku Indra Petra, who had been appointed heir apparent with the title of Raja Muda on October 25, 1944. However, due to conflict with his father, he was dismissed from the post and removed by his father's decree from the line of succession on February 1, 1948. On the same day, Tengku Yahya Petra replaced his brother as heir apparent with the new title of Tengku Mahkota.
Tengku Indra Petra became a politician and was elected a member of parliament in the first federal legislative election of 1955. Although his descendants have disputed their exclusion from the throne[3], Tengku Indra Petra presided over the installation of Sultan Yahya Petra's successor, Sultan Ismail Petra. He died in 1983.
[edit] Accession
Sultan Yahya Petra (as he became) succeeded his father a day after the latter's death on July 9, 1960. He was crowned on July 17, 1961 at Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu.
[edit] Election as Deputy King
Sultan Yahya Petra served as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong between September 21, 1970 until September 20, 1975.
[edit] Election as King
During the election of the sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the most senior rulers Sultan Abu Bakar of Pahang and Sultan Ismail of Johor both declined to be considered. Sultan Yahya Petra also declined nomination at first due to having suffered a serious stroke, but changed his mind and was duly elected. [4] His term began from September 21, 1975.
[edit] Events During Kingship
Malaysia's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak died on January 14, 1976 less than four months into Sultan Yahya Petra's reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
[edit] Death and Funeral
Sultan Yahya Petra died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack at Istana Negara on March 29, 1979. His coffin lay in state at Istana Negara for a day and was then taken by plane to Kota Bharu where it was buried at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum. [5]
[edit] Family Life
He was married to Tengku Zainab binti Tengku Sri Utama Raja Tengku Muhammad Petra (1917-1983), who was styled Raja Perempuan Zainab II (her stepmother-in-law was Raja Perempuan Zainab I, consort of Sultan Ibrahim) and Raja Permaisuri Agong. Sultan Yahya Petra and Raja Perempuan Zainab II had two sons and six daughters. [6]
[edit] Trivia
- Yahya Petra Bridge in Kelantan was named after him.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Finestone, Jeffrey and Shaharil Talib (1994) The Royal Families of South-East Asia Shahindera Sdn Bhd
- ^ Risalah Pertabalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong VI Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia
- ^ (November 19, 2005) Harakah
- ^ Tunku Abdul Rahman (1978) Viewpoints p 74 Heinemann, Kuala Lumpur
- ^ (April 1, 1979) New Straits Times
- ^ Finestone, Jeffrey and Shaharil Talib (1994) Op Cit
| Preceded by Tuanku Abdul Halim (Sultan of Kedah) |
Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) 1975-1979 |
Succeeded by Sultan Ahmad Shah (Sultan of Pahang) |
| Preceded by Sultan Ibrahim Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV |
Sultan of Kelantan 1960-1979 |
Succeeded by Tuanku Ismail |
