Yahya Petra of Kelantan

In full, Almarhum Al-Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Petra (December 10, 1917, Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu - March 29, 1979, Kuala Lumpur) was the sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (roughly equivalent to King) of Malaysia from September 21, 1975 - March 29, 1979, and Sultan of Kelantan.

Born Tengku Yahya Petra, he was the son of Sultan Ibrahim Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV (reigned 1944-1960) by one of his many commoner wives, Cik Ampuan Besar Embong binti Daud.

The young Tengku Yahya Petra was brought up by his childless uncle, Sultan Ismail Petra (who reigned 1920-1944), but was largely overshadowed by his elder brother Tengku Indera Petra. However, in 1948, Sultan Ibrahim Petra, in a rage over an alleged sexual scandal, suddenly disinherited his eldest son and Tengku Yahya Petra was catapulted to the title of Tengku Mahkota or Crown Prince. Tengku Indera Petra was banished from Kelantan, but was shortly forgiven and returned as Member of Parliament for Kota Bharu. However, when Sultan Ibrahim Petra died in 1960, it was Tengku Yahya Petra who succeeded his father as Sultan.

Sultan Yahya Petra was elected Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1975. During his first few months in office, he presided over the forming of Malaysia's third democratic government under Prime Minister Hussein Onn, who had unexpectedly succeeded his brother-in-law Tun Abdul Razak.

Sultan Yahya Petra died in office on the March 29, 1979 and was buried at Langgar Royal Cemetery, Kelantan. His consort, Raja Perempuan Tengku Zainab II, a distant cousin, served as his Raja Permaisuri Agong.

He was succeeded by his son, Sultan Ismail Petra, as Sultan of Kelantan.

External link

• Yang di-Pertuan Agong VI