A monarchy conducted with infinite wisdom and infinite benevolence is the most perfect of all possible governments.
— Ezra Stiles, American educator
ON the morning of June 5, I had the opportunity to attend an event in Miri City to mark the official birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Many such events were held throughout Malaysia to honour our King.
The Sarawak level ceremony was held in Miri City, where His Excellency, the Governor of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, graced the event.
During the past four years as a constitutional monarch, Sultan Abdullah has had to take a more active role than most previous Kings. His accession to the throne happened in unusual circumstances.
The transition from the previous monarch, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, occurred when he made the difficult decision to abdicate the throne rather than serve out the usual five years. This unexpected turn of events intensified the already tumultuous political landscape, causing waves of speculation and uncertainty across Malaysia.
Thereafter, in a momentous event that took place on January 24, 2019, Sultan Abdullah emerged as the chosen successor, elected as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia by the esteemed Conference of Rulers. This significant appointment unfolded against the backdrop of a nation grappling with profound political turmoil.
The official investiture and confirmation of Sultan Abdullah’s role as the 16th King of Malaysia took place on January 31, 2019. Significant events have unfolded during his reign, shaping the nation’s political landscape.
The first major upheaval occurred in February 2020 when the Pakatan Harapan administration, led by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, fell after the Sheraton Move incident. To ensure stability during the transition, Sultan Abdullah appointed Dr Mahathir as the interim prime minister until Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin assumed office on March 1, 2020.
In a later episode, he rejected Muhyiddin’s request for a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 surge on October 25, 2020. However, on January 12, 2021, he issued a Proclamation of Emergency, addressing the pandemic and a political crisis involving Muhyiddin’s government. This proclamation suspended parliament and elections, granting the government significant powers.
The government’s handling of the pandemic and policy changes triggered public discontent. Consequently, Muhyiddin and his cabinet resigned on August 16, 2021. The King appointed Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the ninth prime minister on August 21, 2021. Fast forward to October 2022 when the King approved Ismail Sabri’s request to dissolve parliament, setting the stage for Malaysia’s 15th general election that resulted in no clear majority.
As the King, Sultan Abdullah was pivotal in determining the next prime minister. Eventually, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was appointed Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, marking the fourth prime minister during the King’s reign. His decisive actions and role in shaping the nation’s leadership underscore his influence on Malaysia’s political landscape.
His Majesty the King, amidst this period of profound change, has stood as a beacon of stability and hope and brought a sense of assurance to the Malaysian people at a pivotal moment in our country’s history.
In his birthday address, the King highlighted the need to avoid turning religious issues into political disputes. This call is necessary as all over the world, politicians tend to hijack religions for their own benefit and agenda, in the process dragging many innocents into untold hardship.
In his address to the nation, the King emphasised the importance of democracy. He stated, “Last year, the 15th general election and the process of forming the federal government took place smoothly and in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.”
His call for the “country’s leadership to continue to serve wholeheartedly and increase efforts to form an efficient, people-friendly, and integrity-based national administration system, in order to safeguard the future of our people and beloved country” needs to be taken to heart by all politicians.
His Majesty ended his speech with a call for prayer by all Malaysians for this country to remain peaceful, prosperous, and free from calamities. The monarchy, as an institution, must remain a stabilising and unifying factor among all the people of Malaysia.
Wishing our King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, a Happy Birthday and good health!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
