SORROW AT RULER’S PASSING
Sultan Ahmad Shah often ignored protocol to be with the people in their hour of need
THE passing of Pahang’s Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Sultan Abu Bakar yesterday was marked with widespread sorrow.
The beloved ruler, who served as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1979 to 1984, died at 8.50am at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. He was 88.
His death was announced in a statement by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Sultan Ahmad Shah reigned as the fifth sultan of Pahang for almost 45 years before his eldest son, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin
Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who is now Yang di-Pertuan Agong, was announced as his successor on Jan 12.
The Pahang government declared a state holiday today to mark his passing.
State Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak, in a press conference at Wisma Sri Pahang here, said Pahang would observe a mourning period of 40 days, with the state flag flown at halfmast.
He said no entertainment events would be held in the state between noon yesterday and noon Saturday (three days) as a mark of respect.
Members of the public were allowed to pay their last respects to the late ruler at Balairung Seri of Istana Abu Bakar in Pekan from last night.
Members of royal families, ministers and dignitaries will start paying their last respects from 11am today.
Sultan Ahmad Shah will be laid to rest at the royal burial grounds next to Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque after Zohor prayers today.
News of Sultan Ahmad Shah’s passing elicited grief and sorrow among the people, who remember him as someone who frequently ignored protocol to be with the people in their time of need.
His presence was assured at sites of floods and disasters, where he would be found consoling victims and ensuring that aid was distributed.
This was evident during the landslide at Km52.4 of the East
Coast Highway in November 2015, when Sultan Ahmad Shah, despite his illness, went down to the ground to observe the situation and instructed agencies to ensure such incidents did not recur.
Born at Istana Mangga Tunggal in Pekan on Oct 24, 1930, Sultan Ahmad Shah was the third child and only son of Sultan Abu Bakar and his consort, Raja Ampuan Fatimah Sultan Iskandar Shah.
He was appointed Tengku Mahkota (crown prince) of Pahang in 1944 when he was 14.
Sultan Ahmad Shah received his early education at the Malay School in Pekan and continued his secondary education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar in Perak.
Although his studies were disrupted due to World War 2, he took the opportunity to learn Japanese during the occupation from the Japanese army in Malaya. When the war ended, he continued his studies at the Clifford School in Kuala Lipis and lived with other students at the school hostel.
In 1948, Sultan Ahmad Shah pursued his higher education in public administration at Worcester College, Oxford University and Exeter University in Devon, the United Kingdom.
He underwent practical training at the Sidmouth Urban District Council for three years.
Sultan Ahmad Shah married Tengku Hajah Afzan Tengku Muhammad on April 22, 1954, and was blessed with seven children — two princes and five princesses.
They are Tengku Tan Sri Meriam, Tengku Datuk Seri Muhaini, Tengku Datuk Seri Aishah Marcella, Tengku Abdullah, Tengku Abdul Rahman, Tengku Datuk Nong Fatimah and Tengku Datuk Shahariah.
After Tengku Hajah Afzan’s demise on June 29, 1988, Sultan Ahmad Shah married Sultanah Hajah Kalsom on March 14, 1991, and was blessed with another son Tengku Fahd Mu’adzam Shah.
At the age of 35, he served as the chief of staff of the Federal Army’s Infantry Battalion based at Batu 5 Camp in Mentakab, Pahang.
Sultan Ahmad Shah was proclaimed the fifth sultan of Pahang on May 7, 1974, following the demise of his father, Sultan Abu Bakar, and the coronation was held at Istana Abu Bakar Pekan in May 8, 1975.
He was then appointed as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong and ascended the federal throne as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 26, 1979. He reigned until April 25, 1984.
Other posts he held were as constitutional head of International Islamic University since July 1, 1983, president of Football Association of Malaysia from 1984 to 2014, president of Asian Football Confederation from 1994 to 2002 and president of Asean Football Federation since 2011.