1,500 guests will witness historic event at Balairong Seri
PEKAN: Istana Abu Bakar sits majestically here, also known as the royal town of Pahang Darul Makmur.
The last time the palace’s Balairong Seri witnessed the proclamation of a ruler was almost 44 years ago, when Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah, now 88, was proclaimed as the fifth sultan of Pahang on May 8, 1975.
Today, the same royal hall will witness another historic event: the proclamation ceremony of Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, 59, as the sixth ruler of Pahang.
Some 1,500 guests will witness another historic event as the inclusion of the prayers “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) will be heard during the proclamation of Sultan Abdullah.
“This (the proclamation of Sultan Abdullah as the sultan of Pahang) is extraordinary, which compels a re-adjustment (from the previous ceremony),” said Tengku Muda Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah.
He said this change was a decree from Sultan Abdullah.
“The last time the state had proclaimed a sultan was more than 40 years ago and the proclamation ceremony, in the past, was held following the passing of a former ruler,” he added after the full dress rehearsal at Istana Abu Bakar yesterday.
However, due to the limited space at Balairong Seri, only 800 guests will be present to witness the events, while the rest will view the proceedings live from giant screens at the dining hall.
Tengku Abdul Rahman said it is unlikely that Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah would attend the ceremony due to his health.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail will give a speech that will end with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” three times followed by “Daulat Tuanku” (Long live the king), also three times.
Sultan Abdullah will likely don custom-made “kain songket lapan tenunan khas”, made by Rushdi Abdul Hamid, 49, who has sown attire for the Pahang royal family for nearly 20 years.
When met at his shop, Maya Busana Sdn Bhd in Jalan Besar here, he was all smiles, admitting that he was excited about the ceremony.