End of reign, Al-Sultan Abdullah, Tunku Azizah return to Pahang
KUALA LUMPUR: Every beginning has an end.
Tuesday marks the end of AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia’s head of state.
The solemn call of the “Azan” echoed at Istana Negara around 8 am, accompanying the departure of Al-Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah to their home state of Pahang.
The special sending-off ceremony was held briefly at the national palace but steeped in Malay traditions and customs that symbolise the uniqueness of the royal institution in the country.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, 64, who took the oath of office as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31, 2019, and Tunku Azizah were seen unable to hold back their tears as they bade goodbye to the palace staff walked out of the palace to board a special vehicle.
Accompanying Their Majesties were the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as the minister in attendance, and his wife, Raja Datin Seri Johanna Adrina Raja Arshad.
As they left the Istana Negara grounds, the special vehicle carrying the outgoing King, who wore the official ceremonial attire called the ‘Muskat’, and the Queen, clad in light blue baju kurung, passed through a Guard of Honour and received the Royal Salute from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment.
Their Majesties then proceeded to Parliament Square for the ceremonial send-off before leaving for the airport to return to Pahang.
The royal couple arrived at Parliament Square to the strains of the ‘nafiri’ (trumpets) played by 22 members of the Ceremonial Mounted Squadron of the Sungai Buloh Camp, Selangor, led by Sergeant Ismail Katirin.
Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah were welcomed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis; as well as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and his wife Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir.
Sabah Education director Datuk Raisin Saidin confirmed the student was caught smoking in school, which was disallowed in the school compound.
He disclosed that the student had actually been expelled from the school last Dec 15, after a second warning.
“This means the student had been expelled but was allowed back in school. He is not barred from sitting for the SPM examinations.
“SPM candidates must follow the set rules of the school, including this student who is still a candidate,” said Raisin who did not disclose what the second warning was for.
The director said examinations were disrupted by the incident.
“The school only had the not
to address the student in question in this incident, the situation was under control.
“What is important is that the student concerned is able to sit for the SPM examinations,” he said.
Raisin also urged the public not to blow the incident out of proportion so that parents and students, including the boy, could focus on the examinations.