Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim ( Jawi: ; 10 December 1917 – 29 March 1979) was the sixth

Yang di-Pertuan Agong The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (, Jawi: ), also known as the Supreme Head of the Federation, the Paramount Ruler or simply as the Agong, and unofficially as the King of Malaysia, is the constitutional monarch and head of state of Malaysia. The of ...

(King) of

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

from 21 September 1975 to his death, and the 27th

Sultan of Kelantan The Sultan of Kelantan () is the constitutional head of Kelantan state in Malaysia. The executive power of the state is vested in him as the monarch of the state. The current sultan, Muhammad V, is the 29th Sultan of Kelantan. He is the Head o ...

(1960–1979).

Early life

He was born on at 4:00 pm. Monday 10 December 1917, Tengku Yahya Petra at Istana Balai Besar in

Kota Bharu Kota Bharu, colloquially referred to as KB, is a town in Malaysia that serves as the state capital and royal seat of Kelantan. It is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia and lies near the mouth of the Kelantan River. The t ...

, Kelantan. He was the second son of Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV (b. 1897; reigned 1944–1960) by his third wife, ''Cik'' Embong binti ''Encik'' Daud (1899–1971), who was later promoted to the style ''Che Puan Besar'' by her son. The young Tengku Yahya Petra was raised by his childless uncle, Tengku Ismail, later Sultan Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV. He was sent to the Francis Light School in

Penang Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...

before continuing his studies in England. His uncle, Sultan Ismail, appointed him ''Tengku Temenggong Kelantan'' on 21 July 1939. He was later promoted to ''Tengku Bendahara Kelantan'' on 6 February 1945 by his father, then Sultan Ibrahim. He served in various Kelantan civil service posts from 1941 to 1948.

Kelantan succession dispute

Tengku Indra Petra was the eldest son of Sultan Ibrahim and elder brother of Sultan Yahya Petra. After Sultan Ibrahim succeeded his childless brother Sultan Ismail, Tengku Indra Petra was appointed heir apparent with the title of ''Raja Muda Kelantan'' on 25 October 1944. However, due to conflict with his father, he was dismissed from the post and removed from the line of succession by his father's decree on 1 February 1948. On the same day, Sultan Yahya Petra replaced his brother as heir apparent with the new title of ''Tengku Mahkota Kelantan''. Tengku Indra Petra became a politician and was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) in the first federal legislative election of 1955. Tengku Indra's descendants have since disputed their family's exclusion from the line succession of the Kelantan throne. Tengku Indra Petra did not preside over the installation of Sultan Yahya Petra's successor,

Sultan Ismail Petra Sultan Ismail Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra ( Jawi: ; 11 November 1949 – 28 September 2019) was the 28th Sultan of Kelantan who reigned from 30 March 1979 to 13 September 2010. He succeeded on the death of his father, Sultan Yahya ...

, It was Tengku Panglima Raja Tengku Ahmad who presided over installations of Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Yahya Petra and Sultan Ismail Petra. Tengku Panglima Raja was the father of the former Sultanah of Johor, Sultanah Zanariah binti Tengku Ahmad.

Accession

Sultan Yahya Petra (as he became) succeeded his father a day after the latter's death on 9 July 1960. He was crowned on 17 July 1961 at Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu.

Election as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Sultan Yahya Petra served as Deputy

, the federal deputy king between 21 September 1970 until 20 September 1975.

Election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong

During the election of the sixth

(the federal king), the most senior ruler Sultan Ismail of

Johor Johor (; ), also spelled as Johore, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. Johor has land borders with the Malaysian states of Pahang to the north and Malacca and Negeri Sembilan ...

declined to be considered. Sultan Yahya Petra also declined nomination at first due to having suffered a serious stroke, but changed his mind and was duly elected. His term began from 21 September 1975.

Kingship

Malaysia's second prime minister

Tun Abdul Razak Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Dato' Hussein ( ms, عبد الرزاق بن حسين, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 11 March 1922 – 14 January 1976) was a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the 2nd Prime Minister of Malaysia f ...

died on 14 January 1976 less than four months into Sultan Yahya Petra's reign as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In 1977 a

state of emergency A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to be able to put through policies that it would normally not be permitted to do, for the safety and protection of its citizens. A government can declare such a state du ...

was declared in his own state following a political crisis and violence.

Death and funeral

Sultan Yahya Petra died of an apparent heart attack at 3:45 pm at the

National Palace Buildings called National Palace include: *National Palace (Dominican Republic), in Santo Domingo *National Palace (El Salvador), in San Salvador *National Palace (Ethiopia), in Addis Ababa; also known as the Jubilee Palace *National Palace (Guatema ...

on 29 March 1979. His coffin lay in state at the National Palace for a day and was then taken by plane to Kota Bharu where it was buried at the

Kelantan Royal Mausoleum Kelantan Royal Mausoleum or Langgar Royal Mausoleum is a Kelantan royal burial ground located at Kampung Langgar near Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. List of graves Sultan graves * Long Yunus ''(died 1798)'' * Sultan Muhammad I ''(died 1 ...

Family life

He was married to Tengku Zainab binti ''Tengku Sri Utama Raja'' Tengku Muhammad Petra (1917–1993), who was styled ''Raja Perempuan'' Zainab II (her stepmother-in-law was Raja Perempuan Zainab I, consort of Sultan Ibrahim) and

Raja Permaisuri Agong ''Raja Permaisuri Agong'' ( Jawi: راج ڤرمايسوري اݢوڠ; full title: ''Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong''; سري ڤدوک بݢيندا راج ڤرمايسوري اݢوڠ, literally ''The Que ...

. Sultan Yahya Petra and Raja Perempuan Zainab II had one son and six daughters. However, their two daughters passed away when they were young. He also married Tengku Alexandria binti Tengku Yusuf and was given a son.

Issue

Awards and recognitions

Sultan Yahya Petra held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Honours of Kelantan

MY-KEL Royal Family Order - Star of Yunus - DK

Recipient (21 July 1939) and Grand Master (1960–1979) of the

Royal Family Order of Kelantan The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Kelantan or the Star of Yunus (Malay: ''Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Di-Hormati'' or ''Bintang al-Yunusi'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Kelantan. History Instituted on 9 August 1916, this order ...

or "Star of Yunus" (DK) * MY-KEL Order of the Crown of Kelantan - Star of Muhammad

Knight Grand Commander (SPMK, 9 August 1950) and Grand Master (1960–1979) of the

Order of the Crown of Kelantan Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

or "Star of Muhammad" * My-KEL Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan 1925-2006

Knight Grand Commander (SJMK, 9 August 1959) and Grand Master (1960–1979) of the

Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

or "Star of Ismail" * My-KEL Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Kelantan

Founding Grand Master and Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Loyalty to the Crown of Kelantan Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

or "Star of Ibrahim" (SPSK, 10 December 1967 – 29 March 1979) * Grand Master of the

Order of the Most Distinguished and Most Valiant Warrior Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

(PYGP, 9 July 1960 – 29 March 1979)

Honours of Malaysia

* : ** Recipient of

Order of the Royal House of Malaysia Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

(DKM) (1975-1979) ** Recipient (17 July 1961) and Grand Master (1975-1979) of the

Order of the Crown of the Realm The Most Exalted Order of the Crown of the Realm ( ms, Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara) is a Malaysian federal award. It is ranked lower than the Order of the Royal Family of Malaysia. It should not be confused with the Order of Loyalty to the ...

(DMN) ** Grand Master (1975-1979) of the

Order of the Defender of the Realm The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace o ...

** Grand Master (1975-1979) of the

Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia The Most Esteemed Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Setia Mahkota Malaysia) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country and awarded by the sovereign. The order was instituted on ...

** Grand Master (1975-1979) of the

Order of Merit of Malaysia The Order of Merit ( ms, Darjah Bakti) is a Malaysian federal award presented for those who have made significant contributions in art, science or humanity and are renowned at national and international level. This award was instituted on 26 June 1 ...

** Grand Master (1979-1979) of the

Order of the Royal Household of Malaysia Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

** Grand Commander of the

(SMN) – Tun (31 August 1958) * : ** MY-KED Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK)

Member of the

Royal Family Order of Kedah The Most Illustrious Royal Family Order of Kedah (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Mulia Kedah'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Kedah. History It was founded by Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah on 21 February 1964. Classes I ...

(DK) (5 July 1969) * : ** MY-PAH Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang - DK I

Member 1st class of the

Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang The Most Esteemed Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (Malay: ''Darjah Kerabat Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat Dihormati'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Pahang. History Instituted on 25 May 1967, the order is awarded ...

(DK I) * : ** MY-PERL Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail - DK

Recipient of the

Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail Perlis, ( Northern Malay: ''Peghelih''), also known by its honorific title Perlis Indera Kayangan, is the smallest state in Malaysia by area and population. Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it borders the Thai provinces o ...

(DK) (13 February 1978) * : ** MY-SEL Royal Family Order of Selangor - DK I

First Class of the

Royal Family Order of Selangor The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Selangor (Malay: ''Darjah Kerabat Selangor Yang Amat Dihormati'') is an order awarded by Sultan of Selangor to members of the Selangor and other Royal families, and to high officers of state. It is the high ...

(DK I) (21 July 1966)List of recipients of DK I & DK II of Selangor
(in Malay) * : ** MY-TER Family Order of Terengganu 1st class - DK I

Member first class of the

Family Order of Terengganu The Most Distinguished Family Order of Terengganu (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Kebesaran Kerabat Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Terengganu. History It was founded by Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu on ...

(DK I) (23 June 1964) * : ** Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak The Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak) is the second highest order group (in the group of orders) of the orders, decorations, and medals of Sarawak. The order was instituted in 1970, and was r ...

(DP) – Datuk Patinggi

Foreign

* : **

First Class of the Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama (1961) * : ** UK_Order_St-Michael_St-George_ribbon

Honorary Companion of the

Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George IV, George IV, Prince of Wales, while he was acting as prince regent for his father, George III, King George III. ...

(CMG) (1952) ** UK Queen EII Coronation Medal ribbon

Recipient of the

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (french: link=no, Médaille du couronnement de la Reine Élizabeth II) is a commemorative medal instituted to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. Award This medal was awarded a ...

(1953) **

Knight Grand Cross of the

(GCMG) (1972)

Places named after him

Several places were named after him, including: *

Petra Jaya Petra Jaya is a suburb of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. This suburb was named after sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Yahya Petra of Kelantan, Tuanku Yahya Petra of Kelantan (1975-1979). History The suburb was founded in the 1970s by Sarawak chief mini ...

, a suburb in

Kuching Kuching (), officially the City of Kuching, is the capital and the most populous city in the States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Sarawak in Malaysia. It is also the capital of Kuching Division. The city is on the Sarawak River ...

Sarawak Sarawak (; ) is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia. The largest among the 13 states, with an area almost equal to that of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak is located in northwest Borneo Island, and is bordered by the M ...

Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra (formerly Jalan Semarak/Jalan Henry Gurney) is a major road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was named after the sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Yahya Petra of Kelantan) (1975–1979) History On 26 November 2014, the Ku ...

(formerly Jalan Semarak/Jalan Henry Gurney) * Jalan Tuanku Yahya Petra, the main road on

Penang Hill Penang Hill is a hill resort comprising a group of peaks near the center of Penang Island, Malaysia. It is located within the Air Itam suburb, west of the center of George Town. Penang Hill is also known by the Malay name ''Bukit Bendera'', w ...

* Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra in Kota Bharu, Kelantan * Sultan Yahya Petra Mosque in Machang, Kelantan * SK Sultan Yahya Petra (1), a primary school in Kuala Krai, Kelantan * SK Sultan Yahya Petra (2), a primary school in Kuala Krai, Kelantan * SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 1, a secondary school in Kuala Krai, Kelantan * SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 2, a secondary school in Kuala Krai, Kelantan *

Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge The Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge ( ms, Jambatan Sultan Yahya Petra; Jawi: جمبتن سلطان يحي ڤيترا) is a major bridge in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia crossing Kelantan River. Construction began in 1965 and was completed in 1967, by ...

in Kota Bharu, Kelantan * Sultan Yahya Petra Second Bridge in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Notes

{{Authority control Monarchs of Malaysia Sultans of Kelantan 1917 births 1979 deaths Marshals of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Royal House of Kelantan People from Kota Bharu Malaysian people of Malay descent Malaysian Muslims First Classes of Royal Family Order of Selangor Recipients of the Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia Grand Commanders of the Order of the Defender of the Realm Members of the Royal Family Order of Kedah First Classes of the Family Order of Terengganu Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak Honorary Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George People from Kelantan 20th-century Malaysian politicians Recipients of the Order of the Crown of the Realm