The Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah has passed away today at the age of 89.
Sultan Abdul Halim was the only sultan to serve as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice, from 1970 to 1975 and 2011 to 2016. His second tenure ended on Dec 12 last year.
According to Bernama, Sultan Abdul Halim passed away at 2.30pm today at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar.
The Kedah government has announced that there will be a public holiday tomorrow, but the UPSR exam will go on as scheduled.
Later this evening, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak expressed sadness and conveyed his condolences.
In posts on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, Najib said Sultan Abdul Halim and he had a close and cordial relationship, both in an official and personal capacity.
"Innalillahiwainnailaihirojiun. I am most saddened by the news of the demise of Tuanku a while ago.
"In my personal capacity and on behalf of the Federal Government, with grief, I express my condolences to the royal family of Kedah. May the Almighty bless his soul and place him among the righteous. Al-Fatihah," he said in the posts.