A PROGRESSIVE, stable and harmonious Malaysia for the well-being of all Malaysians — this is the aspiration of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for Malaysia during his five-year reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
And he said all Malaysians will have a role to play in achieving this.
“Like other kings before me, I would like to see our country, our beloved Malaysia, progress. But when we talk of progress, there is a price to pay. Anywhere in the world, progress comes with a price.
“Cost of living will go up. Goods will become more expensive. The government must look into ways to control this or lessen the burden of the people.
“And we the rakyat can play a role by being prudent and not quick to blame (the rising costs) on others. We have to prepare for this,” he said in an interview with the New Sunday Times.
He knows it is easy for him to say this because he is the king, but Al-Sultan Abdullah also gives his assurance that he understands the plight of the people.
“I am in the position to help the rakyat by voicing out their issues to the government, especially to the prime minister.
“This does not mean that I am interfering in the administration of the government, but I can give my personal opinion to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who I meet every Wednesday morning at Istana Melawati in Putrajaya,” Al-Sultan Abdullah said.
He also voiced his concerns on talk of disunity.
“Many people say we are disunited. We have to understand that we live in a multi-racial country. Each race has its own stance. This does not mean that we should be disunited.
“Where we can share a common interest, we should improve and enhance that. Don’t let our differences in opinions and views separate us. That’s not right.
“I hope the government, any government for that matter, pushes for policies that pull us together, not push us apart. Whatever we have now, we should strengthen it,” Al-Sultan Abdullah said.
His Majesty added that there was also a need for a strong understanding of each other’s religion and stance.
“I am a Malay and, as a Muslim, I will work towards enriching my religion. Do not question that.
“But at the same time, we live in a multi-racial country and we need to understand other religions and races. Not one religion can differentiate us as Malaysians.
“We should not politicise religion. We have to look at this seriously. If we mix religion and politics, surely there will be anger among the religions and races.”
He said as the king, he would make it his mission to unite the people.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is a symbol, but I like to remind people that we are not merely a symbol. Whenever I can, I like to play my role to promote national integration.
“We all have to play our roles to achieve this, be they from Sabah and Sarawak, or those in Pahang, Perlis, Kedah or Johor.
“If I can achieve 10 per cent of what I want to do, it would be an achievement for me.”
His Majesty said it never crossed his mind that he would become the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong almost immediately.
“This is what God wished it to be. The Almighty wished it so,” he said, citing a verse from Surah Yassin in the Quran: Kun Faya Kun (Be, and it is).
It was in January that Al-Sultan Abdullah was informed by the Conference of Rulers of a change in the head of state.
“At that point, I did not think I was going to be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. (In fact), I did not even think I would become the sultan (of Pahang).
“According to the rotation agreement, the term for the (15th) Yang di-Pertuan Agong would end in 2022 or 2023.
“This means that there would be another three years before I could become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. I accepted the fact that it would be my responsibility sooner or later, but not this fast.”
Al-Sultan Abdullah said in the two weeks that all this happened, he thought of the people’s and his own expectations.
He said he is redha (wholeheartedly accepts what has been decreed by the Almighty) and grateful to Allah’s desire.
“I had been preparing myself since taking up this post. And I accept this responsibility and stand ready to be guided. I need the encouragement, support and the views of everyone,” he said.
He takes a cue from his late father, Al-Marhum Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, a ruler who was very popular with the rakyat.
“I remember those days when my late father was called the ‘King of Sports’ as he was the No. 1 fan of the Malaysian football team. He also liked to watch other sports. I want to be with the people as much as possible.
“And whatever I do is not for the publicity, the applause or to take credit. It is from the heart.
“If I cannot go down to the ground, my wife will do it. If she can’t go, my children will. And if my children are not available, my officers will go. We try to help wherever we can.
“My grandfather did this and my father, too. I will continue to do it. My children better do it, too. They must make the rakyat their priority. It is an obligation,” he said.