Kota bharu: Unlike most states, which once commissioned their royal crowns from England, the Kelantan Sultanate has a unique distinction - its royal crown was crafted by a local Malay artisan believed to have originated from Kampung Kubang Pasu here. The more than 100-year-old crown is being displayed to the public for the first time at the Kelantan Heritage Weapons Festival 2026 at Istana Balai Besar here, which runs from Aug 16 to Sept 5.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan Sultan's Office Protocol Officer Mohamed Safaruddin Ismail said the idea for the crown was conceived by Sultan Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad IV, who ruled Kelantan from 1920 to 1944, and it was first used during his coronation ceremony on April 28, 1921. At the ceremony, Tengku Temenggung Abdul Ghaffar ibni Almarhum Sultan Muhammad II placed the crown on Sultan Ismail, making it part of the history of the Kelantan Sultanate.
Mohamed Safaruddin explained that the crown demonstrates the goldsmithing skills of the local community at the time, which were capable of producing a royal regalia of such high artistic value. The crown was originally made from 16 ten-carat gold nuggets and featured carvings of young dala leaf motifs, as well as a crescent and five-pointed star at the top, set against royal blue velvet.
During the reign of Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim, 470 diamonds and 52 emeralds and rubies were added, while a further 721 diamonds and 44 emeralds were added during the reign of Almarhum Sultan Ismail Petra ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra. The crown is also adorned with ermine, or stoat, fur, whose white winter coat was historically associated with luxury in royal attire.
"This is the only crown of the Kelantan Sultanate and is usually brought out only to be placed to the right of the throne during the Sultan's Birthday celebrations, so not everyone has the opportunity to see it up close," Mohamed Safaruddin noted. He added that the crown was chosen as the festival's main attraction following public interest in previous exhibitions of Kelantan royal regalia, including the Tok Chu keris with the Sampir Kuseriwa in 2024 and the royal tribute artefact Bunga Emas last year.
The stand for the crown is made of 999 pure gold and weighs almost one kilogram, while its actual value has not been disclosed for security reasons. "Throughout the festival, strict security measures are in place involving public security personnel, while the crown is kept in a special palace vault," he said.
The festival also features traditional weapons, pitis coins, and other Kelantan heritage treasures. Organisers are targeting 50,000 visitors, compared with 42,000 last year, with direct Jakarta-Kota Bharu flights also expected to attract more foreign tourists, particularly Indonesians.