Δευτέρα 27 Μαΐου 2019

Almarhum SULTAN AHMAD SHAH (1930 - 2019), PAHANG' Sultan (1974-2019), MALAYSIA's Yang di-Pertuan AGONG VII (1979-84)



KDYMM Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'azzam Shah died on Wednesday, 22 May 2019 at 8:50am, after a long time of hospitalization & declining health. He was 88.

Al-Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI
The former Sultan of Pahang & father of current Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah (which five-year-term he undertook himself back 40 years ago), the Father Sultan was the first former Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Royal Head of State) of the country who lived to see his son (& successor as Sultan) being elected to that office.

HIS LIFE:

With his maternal grandfather
Sultan Iskandar Shah of Perak

 Tengku Ahmad Shah was born on midnight of October 24, 1930, in a palace the third child & only son of then heir to the Malaysian Sultanate's throne Tengku Abu Bakar & his senior wife, Raja Fatima (daughter of the Sultan from the fellow state of Perak).

 His father became Sultan of Pahang in 1932, but it wasn't until 1944 when Tengku Ahmad was appointed Tengku Mahkota (or Crown Prince).
Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah



 Ahmad Shah received his elementary education at a local Malay school in Pekan (Pahang) & continued his secondary education at a college in Perak. His studies were interrupted due to the Japanese occuption (1941-44) during WWII, however he managed to learn some Japanese during that period.

In 1948 his Royal Highness pursued higher education in public administration in Oxford's Worcester College & Exeter University, UK. He also underwent a 3-year practical training at an English town council. At the age of 35 Ahmad undertook the service as Chief of Staff of the Infantry Battalion of Malaysian Federal Army.
Sultan Ahmad Shah with his first wife, Tengku Ampuan Afzan
On 22 April 1954, Tengku Ahmad married to his first wife, Tengku Hajah Afzan Tengku Paglima Muhammad (1932-1988), a Princess from the Terengganu Sultanate. Together they had seven children, two sons & five daughters (namely: Meriam, Muhaini, Aishah, Abdullah, Abdul Rahman, Nong Fatimah & Shahariah).

 After his father died on 7 May 1974, Tengku Ahmad Shah succeeded the throne (the next day), becoming the 5th Sultan of modern Pahang. He was installed (/customary enthroned) a year later.
Coat-of-Arms of Pahang Sultanate
Upon the sudden death of Malaysia's Supreme King (/Yang di-Pertuan Agong) Sultan Yahya Petra of Kelantan in 1979, Ahmad Shah from central Pahang (who served as his deputy) was elected as his successor. He undertook the office his father failed to be first in back in 1957, due to his controversial intermarital affairs.
Sultan/Tuanku Ahmad Shah dressed as YDP Agong VII
Sultan Ahmad Shah served as the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (/Federal Head of State) for a full, five-year-term (from 1979 to 1984), back in the first rotation, where the 'system' of Agong's selection by a seniority order was being established (& 9 Malaysian constituent monarchs exchanged each other every 5 years prioritizing the senior & longest-reigning ruler at the moment).

 After the end of his YDP Agong's term, Ahmad Shah returned to his state (from capital Kuala Lumpur) to continue his reign as the Sultan.
Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah & his second wife, Sultanah Kalsom
His consort, Tengku Ampuan Afzan (& former Raja Permaisuri Agong/Supreme King's 'Queen' consort), died of cancer on 29 June 1988, and HRH remarried to Chik Anita Binti Abdullah (of Pakistani origin) on 14 March 1991, naming her Sultanah Kalsom in September 1992. She gave birth to Sultan's youngest son, Tengku Fahd Mu'adzam Shah in 1994.

SPORTS:

The late Sultan was a keen sportsman throughout his entire life. His favorite was football, but he also dedicated time to golf, hockey & equestrian sports. He was said to be always "a team player".

 Having been involved to sport's federations both in Malaysia & abroad, Ahmad Shah was appointed on various posts. He was first elected as President of Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) from 1984, being reelected for another term (sometimes even without contest), until he stepped down in favour of his eldest son in 2014. He was the longest-serving FAM President.

Through his tenure as FAM president, the Sultan was criticised for unpopular decisions of the council, but retained his position for long enough to see the highest ratings of Malaysian football in its history. Their team achieved Gold medals at several games with fellow countries of the region (Southern-Eastern Asia) & the historic AFF (Asian Football Federation) Suzuki Cup victory in 2010.
Sultan Ahmad Shah (right) & his elder son, Tengku Abdullah

His Royal Highness received numerous honorary awards 'for his contributions to the (national) football's development', including the AFC Diamond of Asia (2011) & 'FIFA Order of Merit' in 2012.
Sultan Ahmad had also been praised for his diplomatic skills & tollerance to 'constructive criticism' against him. While leading FAM, he would oversee the rapid evolution of Malaysian League from a non-professional status to Super-League. In 2002 he would too negotiate for the FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by South Korea & Japan, despite bitter relations the countries had at the time.

 Additionally Ahmad Shah had served as President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from 1994 to 2002, and moreover had been the President of ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) from 2011 to 2019. A passionate lover of (Malay) football, his legacy of footprinting the sport through a new chapter will remain indelible.

Education & launchings:

Ahmad Shah as Chancellor of  International Islamic University
On the field of education, HRH was the constitutional Head of the International Islamic University from 1983. He played an initiating role in development of the Pahang-Malaysian University, laying down its foundation stone in (the royal town of) Pekan in 2002. He furthermore launched the Abu Bakar Royal Mosque, in Pekan in 1976.

"Ruler & People Are Inseparable": 

During the ~45 years of reign as Sultan, Ahmad was very popular in his state. He used the motto: "Raja dan Rakyat Berpisah Tiada" (The Ruler and his people are inseparable), and had a frequent contact with his people, approaching him in a simple manner. He is though reported to have some odds with politicians, having had forced several of his state ministers to resign over minor issues.
PM Tun Dr. Mahathir in the late 1980s (currently reelected at 93)
Moreover, when he was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Ahmad Shah refused a constitutional amendment by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, which would force the Rulers assent any bill passed by (state or national) cabinet after 15 days, and transfer the power to declare state of emergency from the King to Prime Minister.
Ahmad Shah as YDP Agong (centre) & Dr. Mahathir (left)
A large division & street protests (led by Mahathir) followed, until a compromise was agreed with the Agong retaining the power to declare a State of emergency. All of the (nine) Malay Rulers & a handful of political parties had shown their support to Ahmad Shah.
Sultan Ahmad Shah comforts relatives of MH370' victims
The Sultan was a down-to-the earth personality. His "closure to the people" in his state was indeed visible & he used to break with the strict royal protocol to contact with everybody & make them feel comfortable. He was especially keen in meeting those suffering.
Sultan Ahmad Shah shows his displeasure over illegal farmings
Following various natural disasters, His Royal Highness used to be the first visiting the hit areas & comforting victims, one-by-one.

 He strongly voiced his sorrow & anger over Cameroon Highland's illegal farming for agricultural purposes in 2014, reportedly causing landslides & floods. He called on those farmers to be brought to justice.
In 2015, after a landslide occured on the Sultanate's East Coast Highway, Ahmad Shah visited the territory despite his physical weakness, & went down to the grounds to observe the situation himself.
Sultan Ahmad Shah & Sultanah Kalsom on His 85th Birthday

LATER LIFE & LONGEVITY RECORDS:

The Ruler would continue to do so, up until his health declined.
In October 2016 he declined to be elected as Deputy King for another time (paving the way to become the next YDP Agong) would name his elder son as Regent of Pahang later that December.
Sultan Ahmad Shah & Sultanah Kalsom (right, backwards) in 2017
Over the course of the next year (2017) he diminished his activities, & appeared only ocassionally on wheelchair, while in late 2018 he was admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.

 In January 2019, following the historic-first abdication of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ahmad Shah was the "next-in-line".
With Agong Abdul Halim (1927-2017) in 2016

 However, as his health wouldn't allow him to serve a second term (that only Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah achieved), the Royal Council of Pahang held an emergency meeting, where the state constitution was amended, so to allow a petition of the Sultan's abdication.

 Thus, the royal succession was quickly decided, & Ahmad Shah was informed. His elder son, Abdullah, succeeded him as the 6th Sultan of Pahang on January 15 & 'was elected' as the next King of Malaysia nine days later. The elderly former ruler received the honorary title of Paduka Ayahanda ("Father-Sultan").

 Following Sultan Abdullah' swearing-in as Yand di-Pertuan Agong on January 31, Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah became the first ever former (termed-)King of Malaysia to live into his son's reign in that office (as usually Malay Rulers succeed their fathers - & thus potential Yang di-Pertuan Agongs - following their deaths).

YDP Agong Abdullah (with his consort) on his father's funeral
For the rest of his life the Father-Sultan remained critically-ill, under an intensive-treatment in capital's hospital. He never saw the Installation of his son as King (scheduled for July 30, 2019).

 By the time of his death, Sultan Ahmad Shah had become the oldest-living Sultan (& Ruler) in Malaysia, the sixth oldest living sovereign & fourth oldest living former monarch in the world. From September 2017 to January 2019, he was Malaysia's oldest-reigning monarch. He is the last of Malay Rulers, to be born before WWII.


Almarhum (=the deceased (royal)) is survived by his second wife, eight children, living grandchildren & siblings (& possible great-grandchildren). In a text-tribute, the Royal Consort of Johor Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah (HRH's maternal first cousin),  recalled him to be even humbler as his nobility rank increased.

Relations of the deceased with royal families of Johor & Perak
For those values, as well as for his informal character (& way to approach his people), & historic milestones he will be remembered.



Almarhum KDYMM Paduka Ayahanda (Tuanku Haji/) Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah (24 October 1930 - 22 May 2019); 5th Sultan of modern Pahang (8/05/1974-14/01/2019), 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia (26/04/1979-25/04/1984). Al-Fatihah!.

 See also the previous publication, about events, surrounding the late Sultan's death & funeral:
https://royaleventsintheword.blogspot.com/2019/05/breaking-death-funeral-of-pahangs.html

Short videos of english obituary, or malay tributes:
From his honorary University award in 2012:
Speaking to the press about an upcoming FAM match

& further links with additional information:
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Πέμπτη 23 Μαΐου 2019

BREAKING: DEATH & FUNERAL of PAHANG's Paduka Ayahanda SULTAN AHMAD SHAH, MALAYSIA's former 7th KING

Pahang's Father Sultan Ahmad Shah, who once served as Federal King of Malaysia, passed away yesterday. The former Sultan, father of Malaysia's current King, died at 8:50am (Wednesday 22 May 2019) at the age of 88, at the National Heart Institute hospital (in capital Kuala Lumpur), where he was treated for many months.
Dr. Salehuddin Ishak holds press conference on Sultan's death
His death was announced by Pahang's Chief Minister Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy shortly after it ocurred; in a press-conference at 11:30am the Sultanate's State Secretary Dr. Sallehuddin Ishak declared a 40-day-mourning period for the deceased; with the royal family observing 100 days (of mourning) in total. Entertainments of every kind were cancelled in the state for three days (from noon).
Also the next day (Thursday) was declared as a public holiday for the late ruler's funeral. His elder son Sultan Abdullah (currently serving as Yang di-Pertuan Agong/or "Supreme King" of Malaysia) ordered all Pahang' flags to be flown at half-mast for the mourning period. Fellow Sultanates of Perak & Selangor also flew their flags at half-mast until (the end of the funeral) today in a sign of respect.


National flags were flown at half-mast for two days as well.

 Meanwhile condolences began pouring-in, along with prayers for Almarhum (late Royal)'s soul to find a peaceful place in heaven.
Members of the Cabinet & Deputy PM Wan Azizah (centre)
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (who undertook his first Premiership when Ahmad Shah was Sovereign Head of State), Deputy PM (Wan Azizah Wan Ismail), members of the Cabinet (/Government) & local institutions were among those to react first.
Silent tribute to the late Sultan Ahmad Shah by the Asian Football Confederation
Condolences from the Sultan of Johor on his official fb page
Representatives of Malaysian Football Federation (FAM) praised him for his contributions to the national football team, while fellow Malay Rulers expressed their Condolences as well.
Johor's Sultan Ibrahim (brother of Sultan Abdullah's consort) released a black & white picture of the late Sultan, while his wife Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah (Ahmad Shah's cousin) dedicated him a text-tribute on the official fb page of Johor' royal family.
The deceased's remains wrapped in a shourd, at Istana Negara
Sultan Ahmad Shah's body was first taken to the Capital's National Palace (/Istana Negara). After appropriate preparations the mortal remains were placed into a coffin, drapped by Pahang's Coat of Arms. Visiting dignitaries & royalty paid him their respects for a few hours. The Prime Minister & his wife arrived here just before 4pm.

Then, at 5:40pm, a hearse, carrying the former King's remains, left Istana Negara escorted by the royal motorcade. It headed to the Royal Malaysia Air Force base, with the Father Sultan's body to be flown to the central Pahang Sultanate ahead of today's burial. Under a heavy rain it reached the air base in Subang at 6:30pm.
The Sultan's mortal remains were flown in an (A400M) aircraft to the Air Force base of Kuantan (Pahang's capital), accompanied by his widow, Sultanah Kalsom & daughter-in-law, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
In white: Sultanah Kalsom (front right) & RPA Tunku Azizah (next from left)


The aircraft landed at ~7:20pm, with Ahmad Shah's remains being driven to the Palace of (/Istana) Abu Bakar in (royal town) Pekan, arriving by 8:45. Among those to receive them were his younger sons, Tengku Abdul Rahman (Tengku Muda) & Tengku Abdul Fahd (Tengku Arif Temenggong). The Sultan's casket was placed onto a catafalque in the centre of Throne Room to lie in state.
The late Sultan's hearse arriving at Istana Abu Bakar


 Members of the public were allowed to pay the former Ruler their last respects from that night, until 9am today (Thursday, May 23).

 They were required to be appropriately dressed in black, and many men wore also the songkok black hat, adorned with a white band.
Sultan Ahmad Shah's casket lying-in-state

People coming here from across the Sultanate were estimated to "thousands". They passed by the throne room, where students from local religious schools recited verses of the Qu'ran.

 From 11am, the turn of dignitaries & VIP came to pay their last respects to the deceased.

Mourning songkok, adorned with a white band


 They included (once again) the Prime Minister & his wife, Communications & Multimedia Minister, police & bysiness representatives, state Governors & royals.

 Sultans or representatives from Kedah, Terengganu, Johor & Kelantan were among those. From fellow Brunei, Sovereign Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah came to join the grieving family as well.
YDPA Sultan Abdullah (centre in white), visibly emotional
At ~10:40am, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah, who succeeded his father as Sultan back in January, arrived to Balairung Seri (/throne hall) with his son Tengku Mahkota Hassanal Ibrahim.
Sultan Abdullah (centre), Tunku Azizah (on his right) &
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei (on his left)
praying before Sultan Ahmad Shah's coffin

 The 59-year-old King was seen to be deeply moved & shed tears both when he was greeted by his siblings & family members and following a short muslim prayer, recited for his late predecessor.

 Thereafter Sultan Abdullah, dressed in an all-white mourning attire, exchanged greetings with dignitaries, coming up until ~1:10pm.
Almarhum's mortal remains leaving His palace for the last time
Upon the end of Zohor (midday) prayers, Father Sultan Ahmad Shah's flag-drapped coffin left the 'State Room' at 1:45 for burial.

 It was carried out of the palace at ~2:20pm by members of the three corps of Malaysian Armed forces (Army, Navy & Air Force) & police servicemen, ahead of procession to the State Mosque.
Sultan Abdullah (inside) & Tengku Fahd (outside the van)
Originally scheduled to be placed on a specially-decorated pallanquin, used for the reigning Sultan's funeral procession, but the last moment it was decided to use a common funerary van (probably because he was very humble during his reign, ended earlier this year). Sultan Abdullah & his younger half-brother Tengku Fahd accompanied the coffin during the procession.
The Funeral procession
The procession, formed by 75 military personel, the funeral hearse & representatives of royal & religious offices, left the palace compound at 2:35pm. It headed in a 2,2km-long procession towards Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque, for the funeral prayers.
Sultan Ahmad Shah's State Mosque in Kuantan, Pahang
Meanwhile, the 41st Royal Artillery Regiment honoured His late Royal Highness with a 88-gun salute, marking the number of years he lived & producing a shot every 23 metres the hearse passed.

 At the procession's beginning, a guard of honour played the state anthem of Pahang (Allah Selamatkan Sultan Kami).
Funerary prayers at the State Mosque
Despite the daily heat, a lot of Pahangians lined the streets to bid a farewell to their Sultan of almost 45 years.

At the State Mosque, named after the late Sultan, customary muslim prayers were recited at 3:15pm, attended only by male relatives (& Pahang dignitaries) & completed with Al-Fatihah.
Shortly afterwards Father Sultan Ahmad Shah's mortal remains were taken to the nearby Pekan Royal Mausoleum, to be laid to rest next to the grave of his first wife, Tengku Ampuan Afzan (d. 1988).
He was safely buried there by 4:35pm, with members of his family helping the process & his two elder sons intering the first tombstones. Apart from the entire Royal family of Pahang, the Sultans of Brunei & Johor were also present. The atmosphere was sombre, with many crying & the Yang di-Pertuan Agong moved to tears during when state Mufti recited the post-burial, talkin prayers.
At the end of this ceremony, monarchs, senior royals & the widow & children of the deceased poured water & laid branches on his grave.

 The burial service was broadcasted live on local TV channels.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah laids branches on his father's grave

Sultanah Kalsom, Sultan Ahmad Shah's widow, pours 'holy water' on his grave

Al-Marhum Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah was born in 1930 & reigned as the 5th Sultan of Pahang from May 1974 to January 2019. Elected as the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 1979 to 1984, he became the first YDP Agong to live & see his son being elected to this office last January. Back then the Royal Council of Pahang decided to hand over throne from the seriously ill Ruler to his son (& Regent), so to pave him the way becoming the next King (under the unique rotation system of this office). After his implemented "abdication" Ahmad Shah became known as Paduka Ayahanda (the first Father Sultan at least in modern Pahang's history).

Sultan Ahmad Shah was the last Malay Ruler to be born before WWII & the Japanese occupation.

He is survived by his second wife, eight children (the seven from his first consort), a dozen of grandchildren, possible great-grandchildren & a number of younger living siblings. Also take a look to this weekend's publication, an obituary for the deceased!

See also some previous publications, related to, or preceding this topic:

Videos of the sombre headlines (most in Malay):

& Further additional links of information:
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