The Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah will be proclaimed as the sixth Sultan of Pahang, succeeding Sultan Ahmad Shah, on January 15.
Tengku Muda Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah, who made the announcement, said the proposal to appoint Tengku Abdullah as the new Sultan was made because his father Sultan Ahmad Shah is gravely ill.
He said the proposal on the succession was forwarded to the Pahang Royal Council which met in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after a discussion was held among the royal family members and it was unanimously agreed to by the council.
“Pahang is facing an unusual challenge. My father is undergoing intensive medical treatment.
“In this sad situation, regretfully, I and my family have to accept the fact that my father can no longer shoulder the duties and responsibilities as ruler.
“In view of the situation, I and my closest family members agreed to propose to the Pahang Royal Council to appoint my elder brother Tengku Abdullah to be the successor,” Tengku Abdul Rahman told a special media conference at Istana Abu Bakar in Pekan on Saturday (Jan 12).
He also ordered Sultan Ahmad Shah be named Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.
“This is in keeping with his position as a father figure to the people of Pahang. No one is closer to his heart than the people,” said Tengku Abdul Rahman.
On Friday, the Pahang Royal Council had a meeting that lasted four hours in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
The meeting was chaired by Tengku Abdullah and attended by members of the Royal Council.
Tengku Abdullah’s installation as the Sultan of Pahang would pave the way for him to be one of the candidates for Yang di-Pertuan Agong.