The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Ismail Petra, returned home after being warded at the Mt Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore since May last year.

Accompanied by the Raja Perempuan of Kelantan, Tengku Anis Tengku Hamid, he looked healthy and kept smiling at the doctors and hospital staff who sent him to his vehicle.

Clad in a long-sleeve shirt and black pants and in a wheelchair, he was taken to the Changi Airport escorted by Singapore traffic police.

The royal couple then boarded a special Malaysian government aircraft for Kota Bharu.

At the airport to send him off was Gua Musang member of parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is also a member of the Kelantan royal family.

Sultan Ismail Petra was admitted to the hospital on May 24 last year for follow-up heart treatment.

In Kota Bharu, about 5,000 of his subjects turned out to welcome him home as the aircraft touched down at the Sultan Ismail Petra airport in Pengkalan Chepa at 12.30pm.

On hand to receive him and his delegation were International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin, Deputy Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob and all the state executive councillors.

Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was reported to be absent because he was sick.

Sultan Ismail Petra was taken directly to Istana Mahkota, Kubang Kerian, where hundreds of people greeted him at the palace gates, some with banners welcoming his return.

- Bernama