The last monarch from Kelantan to be given the honour was Sultan Muhammad V’s grandfather, the late Sultan Yahya Petra Sultan Ibrahim who served as the 6th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1975 to 1979. Sultan Yahya died before his full five-year reign as king had ended.
Effective today Sultan Muhammad V succeeds Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah for a five-year term.
Sultan Muhammad V is the royal title taken by Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, who ascended the throne as the 29th Sultan of Kelantan on Sept 13, 2010. He was first installed as the Tengku Mahkota Kelantan on Oct 6, 1985.
Sultan Muhammad V, 47, is the eldest of four children to the former state ruler, Sultan Ismail Petra and Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid.
His three younger siblings are Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Tengku Dr Muhammad Faiz Petra, 42, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, 38, and Tengku Amalin A’ishah Putri, 32.
His majesty is a ruler with a big heart and addresses himself with humility when he greets the people. He is a ruler who is truly concerned with the welfare of his people.
Hence, it’s not surprising to see his majesty going to the ground to meet the people right up to the interiors, including the Orang Asli in the remote parts of Gua Musang and Jeli.
He loves to don the “jubah” (a long gown) or the “baju Melayu” that is also known as “baju gumbang” in the state along with the skullcap and sarong when he meets his subjects.
Sultan Muhammad V had served as the deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong since Dec 12, 2011. Being a people-centric monarch, the sultan has his hands full with social work.
As the patron of the Yayasan Sultan Kelantan, he helps the unfortunate segment of society, such as orphans, the poor and destitute and the disabled. The foundation also provides education assistance for his subjects.
His majesty is the one who envisioned the long distance walk Program Walkathon D’Raja Kelantan to bring the people closer to the royal institution.
Through the walkathon, thousands of people from all age groups and background had the opportunity to walk with Sultan Muhammad V and other members of the royal household.
In 2011, with 21,111 participants, the 10km walk around Kota Baru made its way into the Malaysia Book Of Records as the walkathon with the highest number of participants.
The latest walkathon on Oct 28, held at night for the first time, also witnessed around 21,000 participants.
Organised by the Pertubuhan Kerabat D’Raja Kelantan Al-Muhammadi, the walkathon also aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle apart from attracting visitors to Kelantan.
The monarch’s role in spirituality
Sultan Muhammad V is seen by the people as a devout Muslim and a man who has undergone rigorous religious education.
The monarch himself works hard to inculcate spiritual values in society through a number of progammes, including the “Qiam With Me” sessions held during the Ramadan fasting month every year since 2011.
The “Qiam With Me” programme is held at 10pm after the Isyak and Tarawih, followed by a religious talk, Qiamullail and the sahur (meal before fast begins) and the Subuh (dawn) congregation prayer with the sultan.
According to Kelantan’s Grand Imam of the Council of the Religion of Islam and Malay Custom (Maik), Muhammad Hana Pizi Abdullah, Sultan Muhammad V takes seriously the affairs of mosques and Islam.
“We, the mosque goers are close to His Majesty whose heart is with the mosque and Islam. It is a well known fact that the sultan spends considerable time in mosques and religious functions, hence it’s easy for the people to get close to His Majesty,” he said.
“The Tuanku had headed the ‘solat hajat’ (prayers invoking God’s help or guidance) at Stadium Sultan Muhammad Ke-IV here along with thousands of ummah some years back,” he said.
His Majesty’s education and hobbies
Sultan Muhammad V was born on Oct 6, 1969 and attended pre-school at Tadika Fatima Convent, Kota Baru (1974-1975) before going to Sekolah Sultan Ismail I here (1976-1981).
In 1983, he continued his secondary schooling at Alice Smith International School in Kuala Lumpur before going to Oakham School in Rutland, England where he continued his studies until 1989.
He took up diplomatic studies at St Cross College, Oxford and Islamic Studies at Oxford Centre (1989-1991). He continued further with diplomatic studies and business administration at Huron University College, London.
His majesty delved deeper into diplomatic relations at Deutsche Stiftung Internationale Entwicklung, Berlin, and took up European Business Administration at European Business School London.
His Majesty also participates actively in organisations and activities related to the armed forces and security. He is the Colonel-In-Chief of the Royal Artillery Regiment. He was also once the Commander of the 506 Territorial Army with the rank of Brigadier-General.
Sultan Muhammad V, who is also the Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, loves extreme sports and often goes on four-wheel drive expeditions and horse riding.
Apart from that, His Majesty also loves playing golf apart from go-kart, shooting, archery, badminton, bowling and football.
His Majesty also keeps horses, cats, chickens and birds as pets