Kedah History
Kedah is regarded as the oldest state in Malaysia. Its history goes back to the ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom in Lembah Bujang, which is the oldest civilization in Malaysia. The present Sultanate of Kedah traces its origin to 1136, when the 9th king of the state, Phra Ong Mahawangsa, embraced Islam and adopted the name Sultan Mudzafar Shah. The present ruler, Sultan Abdul Halim Shah, is the 30th Sultan of Kedah. He ascended the throne of Kedah in 1958, making him the longest ruling sultan in Malaysia. He was also the fifth king, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, of Malaysia, from 21 September 1970 to 20 September 1975.
The state government of Kedah consists of a state Executive Council led by a Menteri Besar, who is the head of government, and ten Executive Council members. The current (July 2009) Menteri Besar of Kedah is Dato' Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, from the PAS political party.
|
|
