IN their farewell tour to cap a memorably adventurous five-year reign, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong didn't just bid goodbye, they said it with style and panache.
Their tour was full of the usual royal visits and receptions, but one event stood out in what is probably a world's first: the king and queen anchored the TV3 news bulletin like professional newsreaders. The sight of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah reading the news on TV3's 8pm Buletin Utama must have been startling for viewers.
Al-Sultan Abdullah joked later that he looked "stiff" and that the queen was "more relaxed". Still, it was a charming outing for the royal couple, which endeared them even more to their subjects.
England's late Queen Elizabeth II once sportingly participated in a TV skit for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, with a hilarious James Bond twist. But for Malaysians, this was part and parcel of what our monarchy is all about: regal and classy, yet informal with a touch of humour and humility. Al-Sultan Abdullah's most memorable official duty during his tenure as king was perhaps the most difficult he had ever encountered.
With firmness, resolute decision-making and a great leap of faith, he cut the Gordian knot of Malaysia's political impasse by appointing a prime minister a week after the Nov 19, 2022 general election resulted in a hung Parliament.
Of course, the rejected PM nominee complained with little magnanimity, but he, too, must have appreciated the king's swift action to end the political uncertainty by appointing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.
There were occasions where Al-Sultan Abdullah made the headlines for his spontaneous acts of benevolence, but that's the thing: his good deeds were so routine that they are proof of his fine regal character and altruism. The people of Pahang are to be envied for getting back the fabulous Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah.
We know that he will maintain his people-friendly excursions, whether it is during disasters or emergencies that require his personal touch, or a routine visit to the villages.
Who knows, in the next major political crisis, which may be inevitable, Al-Sultan Abdullah's practical experience and advice may just be what we need to cut yet another Gordian knot.