PEKAN: ‘Pray for the best.’
This was the brief remark from Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, when commenting on the Council of Rulers upcoming meeting on Thursday to elect the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
His remark sparked interest given that Al-Sultan Abdullah is said to be next in line to become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, based on the rotation system which would place Pahang as next in line after Kelantan.
Al Sultan Abdullah confirmed that he would be present at the meeting at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur. He was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting of the Pahang Royal Council, held at the office of the Pahang Islamic Religious Affairs and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) here on Tuesday.
The Council of Rulers will also select a Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong apart from discussing the swearing in of the 16th yang di-Pertuan Agong and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31.
On Jan 6, Sultan Muhammad V stepped down as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in line with Article 32 (3) of the Federal Constitution.
Al Sultan Abdullah was announced as the sixth Sultan of Pahang on Jan 15, taking over from his father, Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Al Sultan Abdullah’s ascension to the Pahang throne thus firmly placed him in line to become the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong based on the country’s monarchy’s rotation system.