'PRAY FOR THE BEST'
It will be known today if Tengku Abdullah ascends the throne
With the words doakan yang terbaik, the Regent entered the Pahang Royal council meeting. Four hours later, chants of Daulat Tuanku were heard from inside the room. But, no one will know – not until 3pm today – if Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah will be in line to be the country’s next King.
KUALA LUMPUR: They met for about four hours at the Pahang Royal Council meeting. Whether or not the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah will ascend the throne will only be known today.
Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak briefly told this to newsmen after the meeting ended at about 7.30pm yesterday.
“On any decision made today, it will be announced tomorrow at Istana Abu Bakar, Pekan, at 3pm. That is all,” said the newly-minted Pahang state secretary.
The meeting, which was held in a hotel here, started at around 4pm. It was chaired by Tengku Abdullah.
He too was tight-lipped after emerging from the meeting.
Tengku Abdullah was seen leaving the room several times during the meeting. The exact reasons are unknown but it is believed that it was to give room to the council to discuss some matters.
After the meeting concluded, chants of Daulat Tuanku were heard three times from the room. Then, Tengku Abdullah and the others left the meeting.
Tengku Abdullah and those present at the meeting then posed for a photo session. Tengku Abdullah’s wife, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, was looking emotional as she wiped her eyes a few times.
She also hugged her in-laws who are part of the council.
When the media members asked the Regent if he would ascend the throne, Tengku Abdullah merely replied: “Oh no, you must take one thing at a time.”
However, when one reporter wished Tengku Abdullah “congratulations”, the Regent politely said: “Thank you.”
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was also present at the meeting. The former prime minister is one of four Orang Besar Berempat of the Council. He left before the photo session.
Before entering the meeting room, Tengku Abdullah had said “doakan yang terbaik” (pray for the best), after greeting media personnel who were waiting for him.
There has been talk about Sultan Ahmad Shah’s abdication as the Sultan of Pahang to make way for his son, Tengku Abdullah.
Tengku Abdullah’s appointment could pave way the way for him to be one of the likely candidates for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s post.
The selection of the next King has become a much-discussed topic after Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan stepped down as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 6.
The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said the next King would take his oath of office on Jan 31.
After the Sultan of Kelantan, the next in line in the rotation of the nine Malay Rulers are the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan of Johor and Sultan of Perak respectively.
It is understood that Sultan Ahmad Shah, 88, is unwell.
Before the meeting commenced, Dr Sallehuddin, who was the former Department of Lands and Mines director- general, was installed as the Pahang state secretary.
Dr Sallehuddin took his oath before Tengku Abdullah and signed the appointment letter before the Regent.
Dr Sallehuddin came into office on Jan 7.
Tengku Abdullah, in his brief speech, congratulated Dr Sallehuddin on his appointment and advised him to carry out his duties and responsibilities to look after the welfare of the people of Pahang.
Tengku Abdullah also thanked the former state secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail for his services.
Those who also witnessed the ceremony was Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.