Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today paid their last respects to the late Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.
Najib, who had interrupted his official six-day visit to China, arrived with Rosmah at the Balairong Seri (Throne Room) of Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan, in Kuala Kangsar, at 9am.
They will return to China today to resume the visit that coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
The prime minister, who was in black traditional Malay attire, was accompanied by the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Najib also met members of the Perak royal household to express his condolences on the demise of Sultan Azlan Shah.
Members of the public are able to pay their last respects from 9am to 11.30am. Dignitaries, ministers, deputy ministers, menteri besar, chief ministers and representatives of foreign missions will pay their last respects between 11.45am and 1.15pm.
The Malay rulers, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri and national leaders will pay their last respects between 1.30pm and 2.15pm.
Sultan Azlan Shah passed away at 1.30pm yesterday at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. He was 86.
The remains of the late Sultan will be laid to rest at the royal mausoleum in Kuala Kangsar today after the Asar prayers in the late afternoon.
Sultan Azlan Shah ascended the Perak throne on February 3, 1984. – Bernama, May 29, 2013.