Reaching out to his subjects

Sultan Muhammad V meeting the people after Friday prayers at the Ismaili Mosque in Pasir Pekan, Tumpat, in October last year.

THE Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V has an easy-going personality that endears him to his subjects.

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said Sultan Muhammad V had forged good ties with non-Muslims as he had always placed great emphasis on unity and harmony, which is crucial for progress.

“Tuanku Muhammad is a true king for all. Even the Siamese community in Kelantan would seek the consent of Tuanku before appointing their chief monk,” he said.

Ahmad said Sultan Muhammad V also took personal interest in projects that benefitted the rakyat.

“Tuanku offers suggestions and shares his view on issues,” he said. The King is also the patron of Yayasan Sultan Kelantan, which provides aid for orphans, the hardcore poor, and the disabled, and offer funds for education.

“Apart from taking interest in welfare matters, Tuanku also placed great importance on religious education and spiritual development,” said Ahmad.

Sultan Muhammad V initiated the “Qiam With Me” programme in Kelantan six years ago to instil spiritual values among the people during the holy month of Ramadan.

Seman pointing out the young Sultan Muhammad V in a class photo. The retired school teacher said His Majesty had preferred to settle misunderstandings with his peers through discussions not fights.

Kelantan MCA chief Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung said the King was a much-respected Ruler in his state and people have a lot of affection for him.

“He takes the initiative to go down to the ground, breaking protocol to get to know and understand people of all races,” said Dr Hou.

Dr Hou is confident that with Sultan Muhammad V as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia would continue to enjoy peace, harmony and stability.

State executive councillor Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmood said Sultan Muhammad V had brought the royal family closer to the people.

“Tuanku dan rakyat dipisah tiada (Tuanku and the rakyat are inseparable),” he said.

Abdul Fattah said the King had on many instances visited various mosques for prayers, driving his own vehicle.

Sultan Muhammad V has brought the royal family closer to the people, says Abdul Fattah.

“Tuanku is also very open and direct. When he paused to sip from a bottle of mineral water and made a remark “Kejap, nak minum air kejap”(Just a moment, (I) need to drink water for a moment) during his Royal Address at the opening of Parliament, the video clip went viral.

“That only reflects Tuanku’s unpretentious ways and endears him to all,” said Abdul Fattah.

Retired primary school teacher Seman @ Kamarulzaman Hassan said the King’s down-to-earth approach started in his schooldays.

“Tuanku’s mother even brought a cane to school and told the headmaster that it was alright to cane her son if he broke the school rules. I even stopped a bodyguard who was helping the young Tuanku lift tables and chairs in the classroom. I decided that Tuanku, like the rest of the pupils, must carry out class duties and obey orders,” said Seman, who had taught at SK Sultan Ismail 1 from 1976 to 1985.

Ahmad says that Sultan Muhammad V has proven to be a true King for all, winning the hearts of even the Siamese community in the state.

Seman, 72, praised Sultan Muhammad V, adding that from a young age, the King had shown his non-confrontational personality.

“He was very patient. I saw that when there were misunderstandings with his schoolmates, he preferred to discuss rather than fight,” he said.

Seman, who is now partially paralysed, said he was touched that his former pupil still remembered him after many years and helped him by providing aid during the 2014 floods in Kelantan.