Steeped in tradition: Rambai (right) and Myan Thon Pian (left) leading a procession at the sending-off ceremony for Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah at the Bunga Raya Complex, KLIA. — Bernama
KUANTAN: Their Majesties Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah returned to Pahang yesterday after completing a five-year reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong.
The special aircraft ferrying Their Majesties touched down at the Royal Malaysian Air Force airbase here at 11.55am.
Their Majesties were greeted upon arrival by the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, and royal family members.
They were accorded a royal ceremonial welcome, attended by the state government’s leadership, led by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, and thousands of members of the public.
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Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah then proceeded to the royal dais. The guard-of-honour stood in salute, after which the Negaraku national anthem was played, and a 21-gun salute was fired by the 7th Royal Artillery Regiment, Batu 3 Camp, Temerloh.
Sultan Abdullah, who was clad in the official attire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, known as “Muskat”, then inspected the guard-of-honour, followed by a prayer recited by Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman.
The honour guard stood in salute for the second time, after which Negaraku and Allah Selamatkan Sultan Kami were played.
Their Majesties then alighted from the royal dais and exchanged greetings with the guests before heading to Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, which is located about 20km away, for the royal luncheon.
Thousands of people of Pahang also gathered at several locations along the road in the early morning to welcome Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah, who are the Sultan of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang.
The motorcade of Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah proceeded from Jalan Mahkota, a kilometre journey, accompanied by a team riding 16 horses from the Royal Pahang Polo Club and two elephants – Alam and Sanum – which were specially brought from the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Lanchang, Temerloh.
Sultan Abdullah took the oath of office on Jan 31, 2019 and will be replaced by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, who will begin his five-year reign as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong today.
Earlier, the Royal Couple were given a grand send off at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Showcasing the charm and beauty of Malay cultural heritage, the meticulously organised parade not only attracted the attention of the royal couple but also locals and tourists who gathered around KLIA to witness the sending-off ceremony of Their Majesties to their home state of Pahang.
The procession, which started from the entrance of the Bunga Raya Complex to the building, covering a distance of about 200m, was held to revive the glory days of the past Malay Rulers.
Leading the procession were two elephants named Myan Thon Pian and Rambai, and accompanying them were the drummers, warriors, court officials, spear bearers and palace assistants.
