‘You can see from the turnout how close he was to his people’

PEKAN: People from all walks of life and corners of Pahang paid their last respects to Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah AlMusta’in Billah Sultan Abu Bakar at Balairung Seri of Istana Abu Bakar here yesterday.

The public session, held from midnight, saw droves of mourners clad in black filling Balairung Seri throughout the wee hours.

Chartered buses were parked along the street outside the palace, as Pahang folk and those from outside the state made their trip to pay their last respects to the late ruler.

Pensioner Ramli Daud, 77, from Felda Jengka 16, Maran, said he did not want to miss out on paying his last respects to the former ruler who ruled Pahang for 45 years.

Ramli, who came with friends, said he remembered Sultan Ahmad Shah as a ruler who was willing to set aside protocol and mingle freely with settlers when he visited the state’s Felda settlements.

“You can see from the turnout here how close Sultan Ahmad Shah was to his people. Many have come today (yesterday) and waited patiently for their turn to pay their last respects.”

Teacher Jumariah Saldi, 37, said she left Rompin after sahur (pre-dawn meal) so that she could make it to the palace with her family members.

“I came with my children about 9am and entered the palace hall to offer our prayers. When there were floods in the state, Sultan Ahmad Shah would visit relief centres and instruct the Welfare Department to prepare good food for flood victims.”

School clerk J. Venugopal, 50, from Bentong, said the former ruler was loved by the people in the district, especially Indian folk. Each time he visited the district, they would turn up to greet him.