PEKAN: Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who was proclaimed the sixth Sultan of Pahang yesterday, promised to continue giving priority to the people’s interests under his reign.
Sultan Abdullah, who inherited the throne from his ailing father, Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar, pledged to further the legacy of his father’s reign and always safeguard the interests of the people, more so when they are struck by misfortune.
“I will be a shelter for the people who seek refuge when struck by misfortune and yearn for compassion in times of sadness.
“The legacy of my father’s reign, which was centred on the sacred words ‘The Ruler and his Subjects are Inseparable’, will continue to be the main slogan of my reign,” said Sultan Abdullah in his address during his proclamation as the sixth Sultan of Pahang at the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) of Istana Abu Bakar here.
The new sultan also called on all leaders in the state to carry out their duties honestly, responsibly and with piety, saying that only God-fearing leaders would realise that their actions and decisions would be taken into account in the hereafter.
“Indeed, a state derives its strength from the ruler while the strength of a ruler is in the hands of the government and the people. Rightly, a Malay proverb says that ‘a tree stands strong due to its roots, and the roots are strong because of the soil’, ” he said.
At the ceremony, Sultan Abdullah received the instrument of the proclamation from his younger brother, Tengku Muda Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah, who also read out the proclamation earlier.
The ceremony was also attended by Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Tengku Arif Temenggong Tengku Fahd Muadzam Shah and Sultan Abdullah’s children.
Sultan Abdullah said he felt humbled by the trust placed in him in inheriting the Pahang throne from his father, Sultan Ahmad Shah.
“His Royal Highness is a fair, noble and virtuous ruler who is loved and looked up to highly by his subjects. The legacy of my father’s reign is incomparable; it will be etched in history,” he said.
Sultan Abdullah also recalled the contributions by his late mother, Tengku Ampuan Afzan Tengku Muhammad.
“Her Royal Highness was loving and patient in educating me; there was no lament or anger. My mother was a queen and a jewel hard to replace,” he said.
The sultan called on the people of Pahang to pray for the repose of his mother’s soul and for his father’s health.
Sultan Abdullah also expressed his appreciation to the Sultanah of Pahang, Sultanah Kalsom, his siblings and those who nurse Sultan Ahmad Shah.
He also recorded appreciation for the Tengku Muda Pahang, Tengku Arif Temenggong Pahang, members of the royal household and the Pahang Royal Council for giving him the trust to be proclaimed as the sixth Sultan of Pahang.
Sultan Abdullah also conveyed his appreciation to Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sallehuddin Ishak and the Pahang government for their services in ensuring peace and prosperity in the state. – Bernama
