'Pray for the best,' says Regent of Pahang ahead of state royal council meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: "Doakan yang terbaik" (pray for the best) - says Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pic) before entering the state's royal council meeting here.

Tengku Abdullah had greeted the media personnel who were waiting for him and then went on to say "doakan yang terbaik" before walking into the room where the other council members were waiting for him.

The meeting, that started around 4pm Friday (Jan 11), will be chaired by Tengku Abdullah himself but the subject matter of the meeting was not revealed to the media.

However, there has been talk about Sultan Ahmad Shah's abdication as the Sultan of Pahang to make way for his son, Tengku Abdullah.

The selection of the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong has become a much discussed topic after Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan stepped down as King on Jan 6.

The Keeper of the Ruler's Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad said that the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong would take his oath of office on Jan 31.

After the Sultan of Kelantan, the next in line in the rotation of the rotation of the nine Malay Rulers are the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan of Johor and Sultan of Perak respectively.

It is understood that Sultan Ahmad Shah, 88, is unwell.

Earlier, former Department of Land and Mines director-general Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak was installed as the new Pahang state secretary.

Dr Sallehuddin took his oath before Tengku Abdullah and signed the appointment letter before the Regent.

Dr Sallehuddin came into office on Jan 7.

Tengku Abdullah, in his brief speech, congratulated Dr Sallehuddin on his appointment and advised him to carry out his duties and responsibilities to look after the welfare of the people of Pahang.

Tengku Abdullah also thanked former state secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail for his services.

Those who also witnessed the ceremony were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and former prime minister and current Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.