Tuanku Mizan was the first Muslim head of state to step foot on Antarctica last month. He made a five-day working visit to the research station at Scott Base located in the southernmost continent.
Tuanku Mizan, who was among the youngest Malay rulers to ascend the throne as the sultan of Terengganu at the age of 36 in 1988, was the second youngest Yang di-Pertuan Agong after Tuanku Syed Putra Syed Hassan Jamalullail.
Tuanku Mizan was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 26, 2007.
Tuanku Mizan, 49, as the supreme commander of the armed forces, was also the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong to fly in a jet fighter, the Sukhoi SU-30MKM, at supersonic speed over Langkawi and Penang, where he visited the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Butterworth on Feb 7.
On March 10, Tuanku Mizan went into KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first submarine, which made a maximum depth dive in the South China Sea, as well as carried out simulation fire on targets from the Scorpene submarine.
Tuanku Mizan, who is known for his humility, spent a day with the crew to experience life in a submarine.
During his reign, Tuanku Mizan also helped to strengthen relations between Malaysia and other countries. Apart from receiving foreign leaders, he also visited several countries, such as those in the Asean region, and Kuwait, Qatar and Uruguay. He also visited the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was grateful to Tuanku Mizan.
"Under Tuanku Mizan's reign, state matters were smoothly conducted. His support is highly appreciated by the cabinet," Najib said at a banquet to mark the end of Tuanku Mizan's term at Istana Negara here on Saturday.
Najib also said the government and people were proud of Tuanku Mizan's concern for the people, apart from his active work in charity and sports.
In his speech, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said during the reign of Tuanku Mizan, Malaysia continued to progress to a higher level.
"All the policies under the 1Malaysia concept proved fruitful under Tuanku's reign and it is hoped that the nation will continue to prosper."
Datuk Paduka Maharaja Lela Datuk Awang Kechik Abdul Rahman, who had served for more than two years under Tuanku Mizan, said his tenacity should be emulated.
"Tuanku Mizan has repeatedly reminded the people to protect the good relations between the races, and to practise mutual respect and cooperation," he said recently.
Tuanku Mizan married Tuanku Nur Zahirah in 1996 and the royal couple is blessed with two princes, Tengku Mohammad Ismail, 13, and Tengku Muhammad Mua'az, 11, and two princesses, Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah, 15, and Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra', 9.
Tuanku Mizan had participated in competitions such as the World Endurance Challenge for the World Endurance Championships organised by Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan, Equestrian Association of Malaysia, Federation Equestrian International and Penn Endurance and Equestrian Club.
He had also participated in the Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup competition in Dubai in January 2008. Bernama
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