Rife rumours circulated in WhatsApp and Facebook that Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'Adzam Shah was ailing, were today dismissed by his principal private secretary.

Datuk Bijaya Indera Datuk Paduka Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah said irresponsible individuals had erroneously amplified a simple letter issued by the Kedah State Islamic Religious Affairs Department to purposely make it viral.

"Alhamdulillah, the sultan is well but we must also remember that at almost 90 years of age, he may not be as energetic as in the past.

"Even so, he did visit the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 (Lima '17) and also graced the opening of Masjid Padang Lalang Langkawi," he told Bernama through WhatsApp.

The rumours stemmed from a letter of notification sent by the department to all district officers instructing them to remind the imam in their respective districts to perform 'solat hajat' after Friday prayers today.

Syed Unan Mashri explained that the department issued such letter, on holding special intention prayers for the health and well-being of the Sultan of Kedah, from time to time.

- Bernama