Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah (Jawi: المرحوم سلطان حاج أحمد شاه المستعين بالله إبن المرحوم سلطان أبو بكر رعاية الدين المعظم شاه; 24 October 1930 – 22 May 2019) was Sultan of Pahang from 1974 until his abdication in 2019, and the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia), from 1979 to 1984. His abdication as sultan was decided by the Royal Council at an extraordinary meeting on 11 January 2019. A special amendment was passed on the state constitution that gave the body more power for this decision, citing the Sultan's incapability to rule due to his failing health.[2] The abdication was announced the next day which was retroactively effective on the day of the Royal Council meeting, paving the way to his son, Abdullah to succeed him as sultan immediately, and subsequently be elected as the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong later the same month.[3]
Ahmad Shah
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| Al-Musta'in Billah (He who seeks help from God) | |||||
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| Yang di-Pertuan Agong VII | |||||
| Reign | 26 April 1979 – 25 April 1984 | ||||
| Installation | 10 July 1980 | ||||
| Predecessor | Yahya Petra | ||||
| Successor | Iskandar | ||||
| Sultan of Pahang | |||||
| Reign | 7 May 1974 – 11 January 2019 | ||||
| Installation | 8 May 1975 | ||||
| Predecessor | Abu Bakar | ||||
| Successor | Abdullah | ||||
| 8th President of AFC | |||||
| In office 1 August 1994 – 1 August 2002 | |||||
| Preceded by | Hamzah Abu Samah | ||||
| Succeeded by | Mohammed bin Hammam | ||||
| Born | 24 October 1930 Istana Mangga Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang, Federated Malay States | ||||
| Died | 22 May 2019 (aged 88) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia[1] | ||||
| Burial | 23 May 2019 Abdullah Mosque, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia | ||||
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| House | Bendahara | ||||
| Father | Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Mu’azzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu’tassim Billah Shah | ||||
| Mother | Tengku Ampuan Besar Raja Fatimah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah | ||||
| Religion | Sunni Islam | ||||
Biography
editAhmad Shah was born on 24 October 1930 at the Istana Mangga Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang. He was the only son of Sultan Abu Bakar of Pahang (r. 1932–1974) by his official and royal consort, Tengku Ampuan Besar Raja Fatimah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah (1910–1988), a princess of Perak's royal family.
A student of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, he received diplomas in public administration from Worcester College, Oxford and the University of Exeter. He succeeded his father as sultan in 1974.
His election as the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1979 was marked with controversy as he was said to be at odds with the incoming prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. However, the rumours proved to be untrue and he proved to be a keen admirer of the prime minister. Twenty-two years earlier, his father Abu Bakar had failed five times to be elected as the first Agong.
A controversial, headstrong personality, he has often forced his chief ministers in Pahang to resign over minor differences.
His favourite hobbies were playing football, golf, polo, and equestrian activities.
Sultan Ahmad Shah was a keen sportsman and was the President of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) from 1984 until 2014,[4] the President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) until 2002[5] and Asean Football Federation (AFF) from 2011 until 2019.
His official and royal consort, Tengku Ampuan Afzan, a member of the Terengganu royal family, served as his Raja Permaisuri Agong but died of cancer on her return to Pahang on 29 June 1988. Sultan Ahmad Shah's second wife Kalsom Abdullah (nee Anita), was designated as the Sultanah of Pahang in 1991. They then had a child, Tengku Arif Temenggong Pahang Tengku Fahd Mua'adzam. [6]
Abdication and death
editAfter being ill for some time, Sultan Ahmad Shah abdicated with effect from 11 January 2019 (when it was Pahang's turn to provide the Agong) upon the amendment of the state's constitution. On 22 May 2019, Sultan Ahmad Shah died at 8:50 am at the National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur at age 88. [7] He was laid to rest next to the grave of his late wife, Tengku Ampuan Afzan at the Pahang Royal Mausoleum near Abu Bakar Royal Mosque in Pekan, Pahang.[8] The state of Pahang observed 40 days of mourning, and Pahangese flags across the state were flown at half-mast, while all entertainment events for the next 3 days were cancelled.[9]
Issue
edit| Name | Birth date | Birth Place | Death date | Death place | Marriage Date |
Spouse | Their children | Their grandchildren |
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| Tengku Meriam | 1 April 1955 | Istana Abu Bakar, Pekan, Pahang | 24 April 1976 - Divorced |
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| Tengku Muhaini | 31 October 1956 | Istana Manggal Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang | 22 January 1981 - Divorced |
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Puteri Munawwarah Syammiyah Tun Putera Abdul Mubin Shah |
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| Tengku Aishah Marcella | 13 November 1957 | Istana Manggal Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang | 23 October 1980 - Divorced, 2 July 1987 |
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| Tengku Abdullah | 30 July 1959 | Istana Manggal Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang | 6 March 1986, 1991 |
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| Tengku Abdul Rahman | 23 August 1960 | Istana Manggal Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang | 27 July 2002, 2012 |
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| Tengku Nong Fatimah | 4 September 1962 |
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| Tengku Shahariah | 12 September 1964 |
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| Tengku Fahad Mua'adzam Shah | 10 February 1994 |
Awards and recognitions
editHonours
editAs the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1979 to 1984, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah was automatically designated under constitutional provisions as the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, holding the rank of the Field Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Admiral of the Royal Malaysian Navy and Field Marshal of the Army.[10]
Until he stepped down in 2019 he was the RMAF's Colonel in Chief and appeared at official RMAF ceremonies.
Honours of Pahang
editPahang
Founding Grand Master and Member (DKP) of the Royal Family Order of Pahang (since 24 October 1977)
Grand Master and Member 1st class (DK I) of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (since 1974)
Founding Grand Master of the Grand Royal Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SDSA, since 23 October 2010)
Founding Grand Master and Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP, since 24 October 1977)
Knight Companion (DIMP), Grand Knight (SIMP) and Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (since 1974)
Sultan Abu Bakar Silver Jubilee Medal (24 June 1957)
National
editMalaysia (as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, 29 March 1979 – 25 April 1984)
Recipient of Order of the Royal House of Malaysia (DKM)
Recipient (DMN) and Grand Master (1979-1984) of the Order of the Crown of the Realm
Grand Master (1979-1984) of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
Grand Master (1979-1984) of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
Grand Master (1979-1984) of the Order of Merit of Malaysia
Grand Master (1979-1984) of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia
Johor
Sultan Ismail Coronation Medal (10 February 1960)
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato' (1972)[11]
First Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (1 November 1975)
Sultan Ibrahim Coronation Medal (23 March 2015)
Kedah
Member of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK)
Kelantan
Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Kelantan (DK)
Negeri Sembilan
Member of the Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan (DKNS)
Perak
Grand Knight of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) – Dato' Seri (1970)[12]
Member of the Royal Family Order of Perak (DK) (1975)[13]
Perlis
Recipient of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (DK)
Selangor
First Class of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I) (1987)[14]
Terengganu
Member first class of the Family Order of Terengganu (DK I)
Foreign
editArgentina
Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín (26 September 2006)[15]
Brunei
Recipient of Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB)
First Class of the Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) - Dato Laila Utama (1980)[16]
Kuwait
Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great[17]
Romania
Star of the Socialist Republic of Romania 1st class (25 November 1982)
Saudi Arabia
Badr Chain (January 1982)[citation needed]
South Korea
United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (2 June 1953)
Named after him
edit- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Campus (Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) branch campus) in Muadzam Shah, Pahang
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Science Secondary School (SEMSAS), a secondary school in Kuantan, Pahang
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Science School Pekan (SHAH Pekan), a secondary school in Pekan, Pahang
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustain Billah Vocational College, a vocational college in Kuala Lipis Pahang
- Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang Islamic University College (KUIPSAS)
- Sultan Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS), a polytechnic in Kuantan, Pahang
- Ma'ahad As-Sultan Ahmad Shah Ad-Dini, a secondary school in Bandar Tun Razak, Jengka, Pahang
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustain Billah Mosque in Temerloh, Pahang
- Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosquein Kuantan, Pahang
- Sultan Ahmad Shah Bridge (Temerloh Bridge) on Federal Route 2 at Temerloh
- Sultan Ahmad Shah II Bridge (Semantan Bridge) on East Coast Expressway at Semantan
- Sultan Ahmad Shah III Bridge (Chenor Bridge) in Chenor, Pahang
- Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (formerly Northam Road) in George Town, Penang
- Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuala Lumpur (formerly Jalan Khidmat Usaha)
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport, an airport in Kuantan, Pahang
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (formerly Hospital Temerloh) in Temerloh, Pahang
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup (Charity Shield Malaysia)
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque, International Islamic University Malaysia Gombak Campus
- Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque, International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus
- Sekolah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, a primary school in Pekan, Pahang
- SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah, a secondary school in Cameron Highlands, Pahang
- Taman Pertanian Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in Kuantan, Pahang
- Pusat Jagaan Taman Pengasih Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in Kuantan, Pahang
- Institut Latihan Sultan Ahmad Shah in Kajang, Selangor
- Pusat Kokurikulum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Pahang
- Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in Kuantan, Pahang
- Sultan Ahmad Shah International Convention Center (SASICC) in Kuantan, Pahang
- Akademi Maritim Sultan Ahmad Shah (AMSAS) in Kuantan, Pahang
- Pusat Pentadbiran Sultan Ahmad Shah (PPSAS) in Kuantan, Pahang
- Piala Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah
Ancestry
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Notes
edit- ^ "Agong's father, former Pahang Sultan, dies at age 88". The Star Online. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ "Tengku Muda: Pahang constitution amended to pave way for new Sultan".
- ^ "Tengku Abdullah to be proclaimed Pahang sultan on Jan 15". Malaysiakini. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ Samuel, Eric. "Football: High noon at FAM Congress as TM Pahang takes over - The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ Asian football mourns passing of legendary figure. Goal at Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ "King's father, former Pahang Sultan, dies at age 88". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Agong's father, former Pahang Sultan, dies at age 88". The Star Online. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ "Sultan Ahmad Shah laid to rest at Pekan Royal Mausoleum". The Star Online. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
- ^ Alagesh, T. N. (22 May 2019). "Pahang declares Thursday (May 23) a holiday to mark Sultan Ahmad Shah's death". New Straits Times. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ Alagappa, pg 267
- ^ Ministers head Sultan's awards list. New Straits Times. 16 November 1972.
- ^ "SPCM 1970". pingat.perak.gov.my. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "Awards for Sultan". The Straits Times. 5 May 1975. p. 9.
- ^ "DK I 1987". awards.selangor.gov.my. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "SAIJ". www.saij.gob.ar. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ Brunei award for the king. New Straits Times. 10 July 1980.
- ^ "Pahang". Archived from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
References
edit- Coercion and Governance: The Declining Political Role of the Military in Asia, Muthiah Alagappa, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-4227-8
- Information Malaysia, Published by Berita Publ. Sdn. Bhd., 1989
- The Europa Year Book, Europa Publications Limited, 1984, ISBN 0-905118-96-0
External links
edit- PAHANG, HRH , Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustain Billah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’Ayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah International Who's Who. accessed 1 September 2006.