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Golden Jubilee Of The Reign Of Tuanku Sultan Kedah Stamp

Date of Issue : 15 July 2003

Stamps Classification : Malaysia Sultanate Stamp; Malaysia Kedah Sultan Stamp

The Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah launched yesterday special issue stamps at Istana Anak Bukit to mark the golden jubilee of his reign.

Also attending the function were Sultanah of Kedah Tuanku Haminah Hamidun, Kedah Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak and state secretary Datuk Wira Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah.

The issue has three designs. The 30-sen stamp portrays the state during the colonial era, showing padi fields, old Alor Star town and the Zahir mosque.

The 50-sen stamp shows the old state secretary’s office and the Jalan Teluk Wanjah fountain, depicting the state’s development after 25 years of the Sultan’s rule, while the RM1 stamp is an illustration of modern-day Alor Star.

The stamps, available in sheets of 22, are sold nationwide. Limited edition folders with a set of stamps and first day covers were sold at RM47.20 at all philatelic bureaus yesterday.

The Kedah Malya Sultanate is the oldest Sultanate in Malaysia and its origins can be traced to almost 900 years with the first Muslim ruler, Sultan Muzaffar Shah in 1136. Historically, it is evident that Kedah is both the oldest Islamic Sultanate and Government in this region.

Since then, there have been 28 Sultans who ruled consecutively from eight different capitals or administrative centres throughout Kedah. These administrative centres were in

• Kota Bukit Meriam (1136-1236)
• Kota Sungai Emas (1236-1323)
• Kota Siputih (1323-1626)
• Kota Naga (1626-1654)
• Kota Sena (1654-1664)
• Kota Indera Kayangan (1664-1687)
• Kota Bukit Pinang (1687-1735) and finally
• Kota Setar from 1735 till the present day.

His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah was born on 28th November 1927 at Istana Anak Bukit (Anak Bukit Palace). His Royal Highness received education at Alor Merah Malay Primary School and Titi Gajah Malay School before continuing his education at Sultan Abdul Hamid College (1946-1949). In 1949, his Royal Highness then set forth overseas to further his studies at Wadham College, Oxford University, in the field of Social Studies and Public Administration.

2008 will thus enter the history of the state of Kedah as the year of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations for the 50th year of the reign of His Royal Highness Al Sultan Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah of Kedah Darul Aman. These celebrations will take place throughout the state and coincide with the all-year round Visit Kedah Year 2008.



Gunung Jerai and the paddy field

Denomination : 30sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

Gunung Jerai and the paddy field in the background illustrates the state of Kedah as an agricultural state where paddy is the main source of income, resulting in Kedah being known as the National Rice Bowl. The portrait of HRH Tuanku Sultan Kedah was taken approximately in the year 1959 when he was installed officially as the 28th Ruler of the state of Kedah. Masjid Zhir and the scene of Alor Setar Town in the early 50s shows the state of Kedah beginning to develop after the British rule.



Old Office of the State Secretary

Denomination : 50sen

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

This stamp depicts the old Office of the State Secretary of the Kedah Government and landmark of the Jalan Telok Wanjah Water Fountain that was built in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations marking the 25th Anniversary of HRH's rule in the state of Kedah.



Current town of Alor Setar

Denomination : RM1

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

The background of the stamp shows the current town of Alor Setar, including the Alor Setar Tower and Masjid Al-Bukhary which illustrates the responsibility and commitment of HRH Tuanku Sultan Kedah to continuously develop the state in line with the current national state development for the past 50 years of HRH reign of the state of Kedah.


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