Sultan Azlan Shah dies, Najib to return to pay last respects

IPOH: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah (pix), passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at 1.30pm today. He was 86.
The death was announced by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir over Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Zambry said the late sultan will be laid to rest at the royal mausoleum in Kuala Kangsar today after "Asar" prayers in the late afternoon.
The lying-in-state of the remains of Sultan Azlan Shah, who had reigned Perak for three decades from Feb 3, 1984, will be held at the Balairong Seri (Throne Room) of the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
State dignitaries and VIPs will pay their last respects from 9am today, the public between 11am and 2pm. and the rulers and national leaders between 2pm and 3pm.

Zambry said the Perak flag would be flown at half mast during the 100 days of mourning beginning today while the Malaysian flag would be flown at half-mast for seven days.
"During the first seven days of the mourning period, all forms of entertainment, festivity and celebration are cancelled," he announced.
A public holiday has been declared for Perak today as a mark of respect in conjunction with the laying to rest of the sultan.
Sultan Azlan Shah leaves his consort Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun; his son, the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah; and three daughters, Raja Datuk Seri Azureen, Raja Datuk Seri Aleena and Raja Datuk Seri Yong Sofia. Another son, Raja Datuk Seri Ashman Shah, passed away on March 30, 2012.
Meanwhile, the appointment and proclamation of the new Sultan of Perak will be made at the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar this evening, said Dewan Negara Perak secretary Datuk Ayob Hashim.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has also cut short his official visit to China and will return home tonight to pay his last respects to the late Sultan.
Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, will fly back to resume their six-day official visit to China, that began Tuesday, after paying their last respects at Kuala Kangsar tomorrow, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Bernama reported that Najib extended his condolences to the Perak royal family on his Facebook page. He also said in a statement here that the late sultan had served outstandingly during his tenure as Lord President.
According to the schedule of the China visit, Najib was to board a fast train tomorrow morning for Tianjin to witness the groundbreaking for the Xianda Integrated Seawater Desalination and Salt Making Plant in the Nangang Industrial Zone.
Defence Minister and acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is expected to now represent Najib at the function.