KUALA LUMPUR: As if counting down the days, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah says he and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have only 239 days left before fulfilling their duties and returning to their home in Pahang.
Sultan Abdullah expressed his gratitude for receiving the guidance, strength and benevolence of Allah Almighty to carry out the great task of protecting Malaysia for almost five years.
“In my estimation, there are only 239 days left before we both balik kampung to the state of Pahang,” His Majesty said when gracing the investiture ceremony of federal awards and honours held in conjunction with his official birthday celebration at Istana Negara here yesterday.
This is the last investiture ceremony graced by Sultan Abdullah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong during his five-year reign which began on Jan 31, 2019.
At the same time, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Pahang, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Conference of Rulers for trusting and placing great faith in him to protect the country, Bernama reported.
His Majesty said the advice and views of the Malay Rulers had helped to overcome the various crises that plagued the country.
“The spirit of consultation between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers must be upheld and strengthened as the ultimate check and balance mechanism for transparent national governance for the benefit of the common people,” His Majesty said.
According to Sultan Abdullah, the system of rotating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong among the nine Malay Rulers, which has been practised since the country’s independence, is proof that power and position are not absolute.
His Majesty said the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was also a landmark that protected the Federal Constitution, a source of justice, a pillar of stability and a guardian of national democracy.
His Majesty said the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was also a protector for the people.
“Therefore, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is a torch that always illuminates the country so that it does not fall out of the mould of the Federal Constitution, the idealism of the nation’s ideals and aspirations,” Sultan Abdullah said.
