‘Protect the royal institution’

Final soiree: Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah attending the State Banquet in Kuala Lumpur to mark the completion of his reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. — Bernama

Sultan Abdullah: It is the last bastion of country’s sovereignty

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah says the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must continue to be preserved and protected.

His Majesty said that should the institution deviate from its role, the government would become weak and the country turned into a mess.

ALSO READ: Closure of roads for sending-off ceremony

Sultan Abdullah reminded that the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was the last bastion to ensure the people’s well-being and the country’s sovereignty.

“So protect the institution to the best of your ability. Preserve its dignity and never besmirch it with lies and deceit,” he said at a State Banquet held to mark the completion of his reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong here on Saturday night.

Also gracing the event was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

ALSO READ: Rakyat grateful for Yasa Haemodialysis Centres

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Cabinet Ministers were also present.

Sultan Abdullah completes his five-year reign as 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow.

ALSO READ: The Regent capable of driving Johor’s development, says MB

Recalling instances from his reign, Sultan Abdullah said he was blessed to have been granted good health to rule the country with four prime ministers.

“God-willing, if there are no other obstacles or more ‘other moves’ in the next two days, I will complete my reign with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

ALSO READ: Johoreans hail their Regent

“It never crossed my mind that I would have to undertake the duty of appointing three prime ministers and to guide the country out of uncertainty,” Sultan Abdullah said, adding that he always upheld the principle of parliamentary democracy at all times.

His Majesty also cautioned that change based solely on political agenda would never benefit any party.

ALSO READ: 30,000 Johoreans to line up to see off new King

“We do not make changes just for the sake of making them. Changing the prime minister every year does not guarantee anything.

“It is the people who will suffer, the economy which will decline and eventually it is the country that will become unstable,” His Majesty said. — Bernama