Pahang, British High Commission to fly flags at half mast for late queen

KUALA LUMPUR – Pahang will join Britain and various states across the world in paying respects to Queen Elizabeth II following her death by flying its flag at half mast for three days, beginning tomorrow. 

This was made known even as the British High Commission here also announced that its flags are placed at half-mast until the state funeral for the longest-serving monarch in British history concludes. 

The funeral ceremonies in the United Kingdom are expected to last for 10 days.

“We are profoundly saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said the British high commissioner Charles Hay in a statement today. 

“The queen will be remembered for her extraordinary devotion to duty and her life of service to Britain, the Realms and the Commonwealth.  

“My colleagues and I are already receiving many condolence messages and tributes from our friends in Malaysia. We are very grateful for the outpouring of affection and respect for her in Malaysia.”

A physical condolence book will be opened to members of the public from September 12 to 15 (8am to 4.30pm) at Menara Binjai, 2 Jalan Binjai in Kuala Lumpur where the high commission is situated.

In a video shared with The Vibes, Hay said when he had the honour of meeting the queen, he was moved by her understanding and love for Malaysia. 

“What really struck me (when I met the queen) was the depth of her knowledge and affection for Malaysia,” he said. 

He added that he had the “immense privilege” of meeting the queen recently when he had accompanied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his wife Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah for lunch with the royal in London.

Meanwhile, Pahang State Secretary Datuk Seri Sallehuddin Ishak said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has ordered for the state flags to be flown at half mast as a sign of respect for the queen’s demise. 

The state’s communications and media unit, Pahang Media, reported that the matter was announced by Sallehuddin in a statement today. 

Earlier, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah also extended his condolences to the British monarch’s family and the people and government of the UK. 

“Her Majesty was a towering figure and led a lifetime of dedication and service to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth,” he said In a brief Facebook post. 

The Queen’s death at 96 years of age was announced by Buckingham Palace in a short statement at 1.30am Malaysia time today, triggering a global outpour of tributes to her long life and record-breaking reign. 

The eldest of her four children, Charles, Prince of Wales, who at 73 is the oldest heir apparent in British history, becomes king immediately.

The queen had apparently been suffering from mobility and health issues for the past 12 months, causing her to cancel many engagements on doctor’s advice.

A digital condolence book is now available on www.royal.uk for people who wish to pay their tribute and respects.– The Vibes, September 9, 2022