Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's King Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who died at the age of 75 yesterday, agitated for Malaysia's independence from Britain and was a scourge for local politicians thereafter.
Salahuddin, who died at a Kuala Lumpur hospital after failing to recover from a heart operation two months ago, was popular with his subjects and the media for his outspoken ways.
But the sultan who had ruled Selangor state adjacent to the capital Kuala Lumpur since 1960 was feared by some politicians because of his sharp criticisms of both state and federal governments.
Salahuddin was the most vocal among the country's royals when Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced plans in 1993 to reduce the veto power of the king over government decisions.