Empathetic and caring Sultan
AS the Sultan of Pahang celebrates his birthday today, he can be proud of the 42 years as the state’s Ruler. Turning 86, Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah remains concerned about the welfare of his subjects and the development of his state.
In his speech at the opening of the state assembly in May this year, the Ruler said he was happy with Pahang’s economic growth of 4.6% last year.
With the beginning of the 11th Malaysia Plan, Sultan Ahmad Shah expressed his hope that it would be implemented by giving priority to the people and the prosperity of the nation. He was also confident that the state government under the leadership of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob would execute the programmes under the plan effectively.
The Ruler was grateful as the value of investments in the state had increased, giving a host of economic benefits to the people.
“Investment activities are important for the growth of the state’s economy because they will provide job opportunities for the people besides creating an economic spin-off effect. This is good for the state,” he said.
However, Sultan Ahmad Shah said he also understood the struggle of the people and sympathised with them.
“The prices of goods and services have increased. We understand that the economy of the state and our country is affected by the uncertain global economic situation.
“I hope the state government will continue to give attention and find ways to help those who are pressured by the situation. Assistance given to the needy students, the poor and those with chronic illnesses must be continued as what the state government has provided all this while,” he said.
After several environmental issues faced by his subjects over the past year, Sultan Ahmad Shah reminded the state government to give priority to environmental conservation while implementing development plans.
He said the condition of highlands, water sources, rivers, lakes and islands must be taken into consideration whenever any development work was carried out.
“This is a must because the state and its contents will be inherited by the next generation. It is our duty to leave a lasting legacy for them,” he said.
The Ruler added that an environment, which is in good condition and well maintained, would encourage tourism activities in the state. “Progressive tourism activities can help generate a good economic cycle for the state.”
For the welfare of his orang asli subjects, Sultan Ahmad Shah hoped that efforts to gazette orang asli reserve land would be expedited.
“Besides that, economic opportunities for them must be worked out. The orang asli cannot live like before. They must adapt to the times.
“My state government will not neglect the interests of the orang asli,” he said.
Sultan Ahmad Shah was born on Oct 24, 1930, at Istana Mangga Tunggal in Pekan, and was the only son of Sultan Abu Bakar and Tengku Ampuan Fatimah.
He had his early education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and later, his higher education at Worcester College, Oxford, and the University of Exeter in the fields of public administration and local government.
The Ruler married Tengku Ampuan Afzan in 1954 and the couple were blessed with two princes and five princesses.
Sultan Ahmad Shah succeeded his father as the Ruler of the largest state in the peninsula when the latter passed away in 1974. His royal consort Tengku Ampuan Afzan passed away in 1988.
In 1991, Sultan Ahmad Shah married Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom and the couple were blessed with a prince. The Ruler is interested in outdoor sports, particularly polo, which he played with skill in his younger years.
Sultan Ahmad Shah’s eldest son, Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah, has continued his father’s close relationship with the people. He could be seen representing Sultan Ahmad Shah in official functions and would personally meet with the people in times of disasters.
To share the activities of Sultan Ahmad Shah and the royal family with the people, Tengku Abdullah had launched the Portal Diraja Pahang website.
The portal would also publish other matters related to state development programmes and activities.
All in all, Sultan Ahmad Shah and the Pahang royal family have kept to the traditional values of staying in touch with his subjects, embodying the phrase “the ruler and the people can never be separated”.