KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — As if counting the days, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said today the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and himself have only 239 days left before they fulfil their duties and return home to Pahang.
His Majesty expressed gratitude for receiving the guidance, strength and benevolence of Allah SWT 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,” said the King when gracing the investiture ceremony of Federal awards and honours held in conjunction with his official birthday celebration, at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur, earlier today.
This is the last investiture ceremony graced by Al-Sultan Abdullah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, during his five-year reign which began on January 31, 2019.
At the same time the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Pahang, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Conference of Rulers for their trust and faith to protect the country.
His Majesty said that the advice and views of the Malay Rulers have helped to overcome the various crises which have 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,” said the King.
According to His Majesty, 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.
The King said the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is also a landmark that protects the Federal Constitution, a source of justice, a pillar of stability, and a guardian of national democracy.
“The institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the head of the country is a pillar of unity that transcends race, nation and religion.
“It is the centralisation and concentration of the undivided loyalty of the Federal government, the Malaysian Armed Forces, and the people,” said His Majesty.
The King added the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is 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,” said His Majesty.
The King said today’s celebration of the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong also symbolises the image of a sovereign institution that is still embedded in the heart of every Malaysian.
At the same time, His Majesty thanked the people for their congratulations and prayers on the occasion of the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which was meaningful and meant a lot to both Their Majesties.
— Bernama
