Mansion put to good use

Some of the refurbished and old vehicles from the police and Fire and Rescue Department on display.

KUANTAN: In support of the Pahang Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) activities, Pahang’s youngest prince Tengku Arif Temenggong Tengku Fahd Mua’adzam Shah has decided to give up his mansion in Jalan Teluk Sisek here.

The residence was given to him as a gift by his father Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, who had stayed there previously with his consort Sultanah Pahang Sultanah Kalsom for several years.

Without the knowledge of his parents, Tengku Fahd quietly made plans with state MCPF chairman Datuk Seri Johny Ch’ng Ewe Gee to renovate the entire premises.

After almost a year, the task has been completed.

The mansion is now renamed SAS Villa (acronym for Sultan Ahmad Shah), with a mini gallery.

The gallery houses a host of memorabilia, artefacts and rare custom-made souvenirs presented to Sultan Ahmad Shah during official functions and events.

One of the rooms in the mansion. Photos: SIMON KHOO/The Star 

That’s not all. Several antique cars, bikes as well as a larger than life cut out of the state ruler, clad in army fatigue, also decorate the premises.

Using his connections, Ch’ng added on to the unique collection, bringing in several armoured tanks and refurbished old vehicles from the police and Fire and Rescue Department for display.

Ch’ng said he then asked Tengku Fahd to return home briefly from abroad to surprise his father.

“Sure enough Sultan Ahmad Shah was so touched by the prince’s gesture that he shed tears.

“He hugged the prince after a symbolic launching ceremony,” Ch’ng said.

The ceremony was also held to coincide with the 25th wedding anniversary of Sultan Ahmad Shah and Sultanah Kalsom, to which more than 120 orphans were invited to join in the joyous occasion.

Ch’ng said the villa would now be used to hold MCPF activities which could benefit the people and society at large.

“In addition, SAS Privilege Club members are also given access to use the facilities such as the swimming pool.

“Staff tending to the villa can also take them for a walk down memory lane for a brief history of the state ruler and royal family,” he said.

One of the rooms with decorative paintings and portraits of the ruler. 

Ch’ng said plans were in the pipeline to hold counselling and motivation talks in the compound for problematic students and guide them back to the right path.

He said members of uniformed bodies in schools would also be given exposure on crime prevention efforts undertaken by MCPF so that they would grow up to hate crime and unhealthy activities.

“Our aim is to instil discipline and put across a strong message that crime does not pay.

“Hopefully, this gallery can also attract locals and foreign visitors to help promote Kuantan and Malaysia,” he said.

He added that a delegation from International Police Association Macau and 21 senior police officers from Asia Pacific countries had visited the villa so far.