Tuanku Bahiyah

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Tuanku Bahiyah binti Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (August 24, 1930 – August 26, 2003) was the Sultanah of Kedah (1959-2003) and served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975.

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[edit] Early life

Born on August 24, 1930 in Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, the eldest daughter of Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad and Tunku Kurshiah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and HRH the Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan who were elected the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia.

She received her education at a Malay School in Seri Menanti and the Seremban Convent School. She later furthered her studies in United Kingdom and received a degree in Social Science from University of Nottingham.

[edit] Marriage and becoming Queen

In 1956, she married Tuanku Al-Mutassimu Billahi Muhibbudin Sultan Abdul Halim Al-Muadzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah of Kedah, who two years later became Sultan of Kedah. Tunku Bahiyah was installed the second Sultanah of Kedah.

From 1970, she served her five year term as Raja Permaisuri Agong or Queen of Malaysia when Tuanku Abdul Halim became the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The royal couple were blessed with three daughters and two of whom are twins. They are HRH Dato’ Seri Tunku Intan Shafinaz, HRH Dato’ Seri Tunku Soraya and HRH Tunku Sarina (died on 31 August 1991).

[edit] Social contributions

She is well-known for her contributions to the public especially to the less fortunate, the children as well as the elderly. In order for the contributions to be more meaningful for the various charity and welfare organizations, a welfare foundation called “Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah” was established with Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah as its patron and prime mover.

Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah was the patron of various organizations such as the Kedah Orchid Association, Blood Donors Association of Malaysia, Family Planning Association of Kedah, Children’s Welfare Organization of Kedah, Islamic Women’s Welfare Organization of Kedah, Lioness Club of Kedah, the Netball Association of Kedah, the Women’s Association of Universiti Utara Malaysia (SUTRANITA), Nottingham Graduates Association, Ex-Servicemen Widows and Wives Association (BAKIABAH), Kedah Association for the Disabled, the Kedah Thalassaemia Association and the Association of Sultanah Bahiyah Secondary School Students.

[edit] Awards

Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah was conferred various awards, both locally and abroad. In 1970, Emperor Hiroto of Japan awarded her the First Class Order of Sacred Treasure. Later in the same year, President Suharto of Indonesia awarded her the First Class Order of Bintang Maha Putera.

Tuanku Hajah Bahiyah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by the University of Malaya where she served as the Chancellor from 1972 until 1986.

[edit] Death

She died of cancer on August 26, 2003 and was survived by her husband,two daughters and 5 grandchildren.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Royal News — August 2003. Retrieved on 2006-09-04.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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