Eatery owner also called Tengku Abdullah
KUANTAN: “I was hesitant to inform him that our names are the same. My name is Tengku Abdullah, but I only make roti canai for Sultan Abdullah,” said Tengku Abdullah Tengku Sulaiman, the owner of an eatery frequented by Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Tengku Abdullah, 46, said his shyness meant he never told Sultan Abdullah his name, although the ruler often acknowledged him when gracing the restaurant after morning prayers at a nearby mosque.
The Kelantan-born man said the food favoured by the ruler at the restaurant he founded three years ago were nasi lemak and crispy roti canai with less oil, accompanied with dhall curry.
Looking back at Sultan Abdullah’s first visit to the restaurant in Indera Mahkota here, Tengku Abdullah said he was nervous when he found out the then Tengku Mahkota Pahang wished to visit his restaurant.
“A palace officer had called in the morning to inform me that His Highness wished to have breakfast here after subuh prayers. I was stunned. I was worried my food would not be good enough for him.
“The first time I saw His Highness at my restaurant, I felt proud and good. I thought I was dreaming,” he said at his restaurant here yesterday.
Earlier, Sultan Abdullah, who will be proclaimed the sixth sultan of Pahang tomorrow, had breakfast at the restaurant after performing prayers at Masjid Imam Ash Shafie in Kota SAS here yesterday.
Tengku Abdullah’s wife, Rosnida Che Soh, 44, described Sultan Abdullah as a humble person who preferred to be casual rather than follow protocol, making it easier for her to serve the VVIP guest.
“He is very generous. Every time he stops by, it means good news for patrons.
“Sultan Abdullah will pay the bill for all patrons, including those who are buying takeaway.”
She said she was impressed by Sultan Abdullah’s patience as he often obliged those who wished to take a picture with him.
Once, she said, when Sultan Abdullah was ready to leave in his car, he got out to take pictures with people who had gathered there.