Tengku Zainab

Tengku Zainab binti Tengku Sri Utama Raja Muhammad Petra bin Tengku Petra Semerak Ibni Sultan Ahmad of Kelantan (1917-1993) was the former Raja Perempuan of Kelantan. She also served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia from 20 September 1975 to 29 March 1979.

Born on August 7, 1917 in Kelantan, she was the consort of Sultan Yahya Petra and the mother of the 28th Sultan of Kelantan, HRH Sultan Ismail Petra.

Marriage and Becoming Queen

Tengku Zainab married Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Petra of Kelantan on 4 June 1939, who at the time held the title of Tengku Temenggung.

She was given the title Tengku Ampuan Mahkota (conferred on the consort of the Crown Prince) by Sultan Ibrahim on 9 August 1956. On the same day she was conferred the S.P.M.K. Order.

In 1960, Sultan Yahya became Sultan and his wife was proclaimed Raja Perempuan or Queen. She took the title of “Raja Perempuan Zainab II” as her stepmother-in-law was also known as Raja Perempuan Zainab. Tengku Zainab was conferred the Darjah Kerabat (D.K. – Royal Family Order) on the first anniversary of Sultan Yahya Petra’s installation.

She served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia during her husband's reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1975 to 1979.

On his death on the 29th of March 1979, she returned to Kelantan where she guided her only son, Sultan Ismail Petra, in the performance of his duties.

Duties and Interests

Tengku Zainab accompanied Sultan Yahya Petra on his official visits to several countries which gave her the opportunity to fulfill her responsibility as the Raja Perempuan and the Raja Permaisuri Agong.

Tengku Zainab was a kind person who loved doing charity work. She was once the president of various social organizations such as the Girl Guides of Kelantan and the Women’s Institution.

Tengku Zainab gave special attention to ‘house-keeping’ such as decorating the palace and preparing food for the royal family. She also loved doing handicraft, collecting antiques and gardening. Tengku Zainab died on January 10, 1993 at the state palace at the age of 75.

See also

• Yang Di-Pertuan Agong
• Raja Permaisuri Agong