Yahya Petra of Kelantan

Yahya Petra ibni Ibrahim, GCMG, (December 10, 1917– March 29, 1979) was the sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia from September 21, 1975 to his death, and twelfth (by some reckoning tenth) Raja of modern Kelantan (1960–1979).

Early career

He was born Tengku Yahya Petra at Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu. He was the second son of Raja Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Raja 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 Raja Ismail ibni Almarhum Raja Muhammad IV. He was sent to the Francis Light School in Penang before continuing his studies in England. His uncle, Raja Ismail, appointed him Tengku Temenggong on July 21, 1939. He was later promoted to Tengku Bendahara on February 6, 1945 by his father, then Raja Ibrahim. He served in various Kelantan civil service posts from 1941 to 1948.^[2]

The Kelantan Succession Dispute

Tengku Indra Petra was the eldest son of Raja Ibrahim, 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 from the line of succession by his father's decree 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 (MP) in the first federal legislative election of 1955. Tengku Indra's descendants have since disputed their family's exclusion from the line succession of the Kelantan throne.^[3]

Tengku Indra Petra did not preside over the installation of Raja Yahya Petra's successor, Raja Ismail Petra, It was Tengku Panglima Raja Tengku Ahmad who presided over both installations of Raja Yahya Petra and Raja Ismail Petra. Tengku Panglima Raja is the father of the former Rajaah of Johor, Rajaah Zanariah binti Tengku Ahmad.

Accession

Raja 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.

Election as Deputy King

Raja Yahya Petra served as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong between September 21, 1970 until September 20, 1975.

Election as King

During the election of the sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the most senior rulers Raja Abu Bakar of Pahang and Raja Ismail of Johor both declined to be considered. Raja 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.

Events During Kingship

Malaysia's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak died on January 14, 1976 less than four months into Raja Yahya Petra's reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Death and Funeral

Raja 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]

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 Raja Ibrahim) and Raja Permaisuri Agong. Raja Yahya Petra and Raja Perempuan Zainab II had one son and six daughters.^[6]

Honours

Raja Yahya Petra held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.. He received:

National and Sultanal Honours

•  Malaysia (as Yang di-Pertuan Agong 1975-1979) :
  • Recipient of Order of the Royal House of Malaysia (DKM, 1975-1979)
  • Recipient (17.7.1961) and Grand Master (1975-1979) of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (DMN)
  • Knight Grand Commander (SMN, 31.8.1958) and Grand Master (1975-1979) of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
  • Grand Master (1975-1979) of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
  • Grand Master (1975-1979) of the Order of Merit of Malaysia
  • Grand Master (1979-1979) of the Order of the Royal Household of Malaysia
•  Kelantan (as Raja 9 July 1960 – 29 March 1979) :
  • Recipient (21.7.1939) and Grand Master (1960–1979) of the Royal Family Order of Kelantan or "Star of Yunus" (DK)
  • Knight Grand Commander (SPMK, 9.8.1950) and Grand Master (1960–1979) of the Order of the Crown of Kelantan or "Star of Muhammad"
  • Knight Grand Commander (SJMK, 9.8.1959) and Grand Master (1960–1979) of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan or "Star of Ismail"
  • Founding Grand Master and Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Loyalty to the Crown of Kelantan or "Star of Ibrahim" (SPSK, 10 December 1967 - 29 March 1979)
  • Grand Master of the Order of the Most Distinguished and Most Valiant Warrior (PYGP, 9 July 1960 – 29 March 1979)
•  Kedah :
  • Member of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK, 5.7.1969)
•  Pahang :
  • Member 1st class of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (DK I)
•  Perlis :
  • Recipient of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (DK, 13.2.1978)
•  Selangor :
  • First Class of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I, 21.7.1966) ^[7]
•  Terengganu :
  • Member first class of the Family Order of Terengganu (DK I, 23.6.1964)
•  Sarawak :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP)

Foreign Honours

•  Brunei :
  • Dato Laila Utama of the Royal Family Order of Brunei (DK, 1961)
•  United Kingdom :
  • Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG – 1952)
  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) – 1972
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coron Medal (1953)

Trivia

1. Raja Yahya Petra Bridge in Kelantan was named after him.
2. Petra Jaya, a suburb in Kuching, Sarawak was named after him.

Notes