Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah passed away this morning at 8.50am.
May Almarhum His Royal Highness rest in peace.
I have had the opportunity to have interviewed the late Almarhum HRH on numerous occasions as a sportswriter and have followed HRH tenure with the FA of Malaysia, Asian Football Confederation and Asean Football Federation.
Almarhum HRH was a media friendly person who always had time for sportswriters. We could discuss any football relating matters openly with Almarhum HRH and was always ears.
Almarhum HRH was down to earth and more often than not ignored protocol when meeting with sportswriters.
The sportswriters fraternity will always hold fond memories of his Almarhum HRH and will miss him.
Update:
The then Football Association of Malaysia president Sultan Ahmad Shah ATlNSTP PIC
He was Sultan and King, but to the sportswriters, he was a friend and one we could criticise if need be, talk to him, discuss and always had an ear for the sportswriters’ views.
Update:
The then Football Association of Malaysia president Sultan Ahmad Shah ATlNSTP PIC
The passing of His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar may not have come as a shock as he has not been in the pink of health these last two years or so. But even so, his demise made such an impact, that it ran the gamut of emotions for six former sportswriters.
WHAT came upon us was this overwhelming sense of sadness that a good friend had passed, delight that we had some good moments with him both in Malaysia and overseas, and great compunction that another royal of his charm, wit, and humility is not likely to grace the corridors of power in Malaysian football. Not for a long, long time.
For what we all saw in this extraordinary statesman was this sultan and former king who could step out of his royal court, nonchalantly brush aside the protocol, and just become one of us, another football observer and fan who just wanted to see Malaysia in the World Cup finals.
Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar had none of that arrogance, sometimes portrayed by other royals holding seats of honour in sports associations when they are criticised by the media. On the contrary, the late Sultan Ahmad Shah was receptive to constructive criticism. None of us faced any backlash for our critiques, or were thrown in jail for our adverse comments against a royal.
Johnson Fernandez will attest to this. “Sultan Ahmad embraced criticisms, and there were many. In fact, Sultan Ahmad would even thank the critic. I vividly recall one incident. I had written a highly-critical commentary about Malaysian football. The following morning, I received a call from the then Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary, the late Datuk Paul Mony Samuel.
“‘Dei, what did you write this time? I haven’t read your column yet, but Tuanku wants to see you tomorrow’.
“We confirmed the appointment, but I didn’t go alone. I brought Fauzi Omar and Lazarus Rokk along. Sultan Ahmad had often referred to us as ‘The Three Musketeers’. And sometimes, depending on the mood of the occasion, ‘The Three Stooges’.
“When we arrived at Istana Pahang along Jalan Ceylon, we were ushered into Sultan Ahmad’s office. ‘Ah there you are, The Three Musketeers.’ Then, he put my Sunday Mail column in front of him, and what he said after that made me want to hug the man.
“He said in all sincerity: ‘tell me what should I do’.”
That’s Sultan Ahmad Shah for you. It’s that sort of humility that makes him special, that makes dwarves of others. Fortunately, that delightful trait was passed on to his two sons, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, the present king, and to Tengku Muda Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman.
Said Lazarus Rokk: “My jostling was mainly with Tengku Abdullah then, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang who was the FA of Malaysia deputy president. We were both passionate and hot-blooded over Malaysian football. And although we had the same wish for Malaysian football, we were, however, not always on the same page.
“But like his father, the young Tengku Mahkota was never averse to constructive criticism. In fact, even then at his youthful age, he took it on his chin. He would often say, ‘Come on you guys, give me a good challenge, I love challenges’. And we would have our differences ironed out in a healthy discussion over dinner.
“And today, looking back, he would say to the friends around him, drawing laughter all around, that the reason my hair had all dropped was because I had criticised him and his father.
“That was the spirit of the elderly statesman in him. His younger brother Tengku Muda was no different. One of the worst jobs in Malaysian football is to be a manager of a super league team that was in the process of rebuilding, and Tengku Muda had the unenviable task of being Pahang manager then.
“But he was a great sport too, agreeing to disagree, and working out our differences over double shots of espresso. We still have these little tiffs though, but only because I am a hardcore Manchester United fan, and Tengku Muda is a passionate Liverpool fan.”
Hishamuddin Aun said: “I remember it as one of the most highly-anticipated meetings of the FAM Council in Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya. Sultan Ahmad Shah was in the chair for the very first time, fresh from winning the president’s post unopposed in the FAM elections on Aug 12, 1984.
“That meeting was highly anticipated because football writers then were keen to meet and hear out the Sultan of Pahang for the first time and — if we could muster the courage — ask His Royal Highness one or two questions. Prior to the FAM elections, there was so much talk about his predecessor, Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah, being asked to vacate his position for the sultan, who eventually took over the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from Hamzah.
“Hamzah, a former senior cabinet minister and also from Pahang, had helmed the FAM for only eight years from 1976 — a short span that saw the Malaysian national team qualify for the Olympics for the second time in 1980.
“‘Gentlemen of the press…’ Sultan Ahmad Shah began his press conference with a broad smile while he made eye contact with every member of the media present. In just one phrase, we were all bowled over by his kind words and impeccable command of English as he shared with us that many of the things said before the FAM elections were untrue and that he was there all for the betterment of football.
“In fact, Sultan Ahmad spoke very well in outlining his plans for the FAM, alternating between his immaculate Bahasa Malaysia and Queen’s English that impressed everyone.
“‘Do you all think I am in this position for the glamour? You all know I had all the glamour in the last five years, so let us work together to make Malaysian football better,’ he continued while referring to his just-concluded five-year term as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 25, 1984.
“The subsequent years were filled with much respect for the FAM president as he was ever ready to engage with the press, never once showing displeasure in spite of stinging criticism against the national team and unpopular decisions of the council.
“For Sultan Ahmad Shah, respect must not only be earned but also given as he showed a lot of passion and compassion. He was the gentleman that he had always been while occupying one of the hottest seats in sports.”
Indeed, Sultan Ahmad never demanded respect. Something Tony Mariadass could attest to. “He was sultan and king, but to the sportswriters, he was a friend and one we could criticise if need be, talk to, and discuss with. He always had an ear for sportswriters’ views.
“What touched me most was he would discard protocol and walk out of his formal walk — be it entrance or exit of a function — to have a word, ask about your well-being, or give a word of advice whenever he spots you. It happened to me on numerous occasions.
“I recall in March 1985, when he was the king and as FAM president, he invited a group of sportswriters to fly in the official government jet to watch and cover Malaysia’s 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification — AFC first round match against Nepal at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu.
“His Royal Highness made us feel at home and made our trip and short stay so comfortable and memorable.”
But above all, Sultan Ahmad Shah was a dear friend.
Said Fauzi Omar: “He may have been king at one time. Ruled the state of Pahang for almost 45 years. He may belong to one of the oldest royal families in the country. But to us, Sultan Ahmad Shah was, above all, a very good man and a dear friend.
“Yes, so down-to-earth was His Royal Highness that we dare refer to him as a dear friend.
“I’ve known him for over 30 years. And Sultan Ahmad Shah has always been the same man. No matter what the event, he would always break protocol to chat with us.
“He would ask how we were. How was the family. Have we eaten? If we hadn’t, he would instruct those on duty to take care of us. That’s what friends do.
“On other private occasions, he would invite us for meals or coffee and then we would talk about his favourite subject — football.
“When I was working as a correspondent at the New Straits Times’ London office, the sultan would contact me through his aide whenever he was in town. Knowing my love for the shows at London West End, the sultan would always send me tickets.
“On other occasions, he would invite me to his posh London home to share delicacies that his entourage had brought from Malaysia. Only good friends do that.
“Being such a humble man, the late sultan would always appreciate and show respect for our profession. Some officials would bark at us if they didn’t like what we wrote about them. But not the sultan. ‘Good criticism,’ was what he would say.
“Some of us even called for his resignation as president of FAM. Still there wasn’t a nasty word that came from his mouth. To us that was how he understood and respected our profession as sportswriters. And you could imagine how we in turn admire and respect him until today for all those wonderful qualities.
“That is why my biggest regret is that I did not have the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to him. I’ve not seen him since he fell ill a few years back. So for what it’s worth, goodbye, Tuanku. I know you’ll be placed among the righteous.”
And as George Das aptly puts it: “To the sultan of sports, you have left us, but you will not be forgotten. For the footprints you leave behind in football, and in our lives, will live through time.”
Farewell, our dear former king, sultan, friend and legend. We stand in respect and in admiration of Your Highness.
He was Sultan and King, but to the sportswriters, he was a friend and one we could criticise if need be, talk to him, discuss and always had an ear for the sportswriters’ views.
What touched me
most was he would discard protocol and walk out of his formal walk - be it
entrance or exit of a function - to have a word and ask about your well-being
and always had a word of advice whenever he spots you. It has happened to be on numerous
occasions.
To underline
HRH’s down to earthiness, I recall when Almarhum was the King and as FAM
President, invited a group of sportswriters in March 1985, to fly in the
official Government jet to watch and cover Malaysia 1986 FIFA World Cup
qualification – AFC first round match against Nepal at the Dasarath Rangasala
Stadium in Kathmandu. HRH made us feel so comfortable despite flying with the
King and made our trip and short stay so comfortable and memorable. For the
record Malaysia drew 0-0 in Kathmandu, but in return leg at Stadium Merdeka,
Malaysia won 5-0.
For Malaysian football, despite
the many criticisms, HRH only did his best with passion and dedication, but
only if the affiliates had the same degree of passion, interest and devotion
and carried out the various programmes diligently, football in Malaysia would
have been higher grounds by now.
Rest in peace
Your Highness.
 |
| HRH meeting the sportswriters (from left NST's Vijesh Rai, scribe - Malay Mail - and Amran Mulup (Utusan) outside Wisma FAM after a FAM Council meeting. |
A brief on his HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Al Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar,
Sultan Ahmad Shah Al Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, reigned as the fifth Sultan of Pahang for almost 45 years.
His eldest son, Tengku Abdullah, was announced as his successor on s Saturday (Jan 12).
The announcement naming Tengku Abdullah as the new Sultan of Pahang was read out by Deputy Chairman of the Pahang Royal Council, Tengku Muda Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah at Istana Abu Bakar in Pekan.
Tengku Abdullah's proclamation as the new Sultan of Pahang was on Jan 15.
Sultan Abdullah was proclaimed the nation's new king on January 30.
Sultan Ahmad Shah, 88, was proclaimed as the fifth Sultan of Pahang on May 7, 1974 following the death of his father, Sultan Abu Bakar and the coronation ceremony was held at Balairong Seri, Istana Abu Bakar, Pekan on May 8, 1975.
Born at Istana Mangga Tunggal in Pekan on Oct 24, 1930, Sultan Ahmad Shah was the third child and only son of Sultan Abu Bakar and his consort Raja Ampuan Fatimah Sultan Iskandar Shah.
He was appointed Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince) Pahang in 1944, when he was just 14 years old.
Sultan Ahmad Shah was elected as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Sept 21, 1975 and later became the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong from April 26, 1979 to April 25, 1984.
After his tenure as head of state, he returned to Pahang.
As his health declined, he appointed Tengku Abdullah as the Regent of Pahang on Dec 28, 2016.
Sultan Ahmad Shah received his early education at the Malay School in Pekan and continued his secondary education at Malay College Kuala Kangsar in Perak.
There was a temporary disruption in his formal education during the Second World War, but he took the opportunity to learn Japanese during the occupation of the Japanese army in Malaya.
When the Second World War ended, he continued his studies at the Clifford School in Kuala Lipis and lived with other students at the school's hostel.
In 1948, Sultan Ahmad Shah pursued his higher education in public administration at Worcester College, Oxford University, and Exeter University, Devon, in the United Kingdom.
He also underwent practical training at the Sidmouth Urban District Council for three years.
At age 35, he served as Chief of Staff of the Federal Army's Infantry Battalion based at the Batu 5 Camp, in Mentakab, Pahang.
Sultan Ahmad Shah married Tengku Hajah Afzan Tengku Muhammad on April 22, 1954 and was blessed with two sons and five daughters, namely, Tengku Tan Sri Meriam, Tengku Datuk Seri Muhaini, Tengku Datuk Seri Aishah Marcella, Tengku Abdullah, Tengku Abdul Rahman, Tengku Datuk Nong Fatimah and Tengku Datuk Shahariah.
After the death of Tengku Afzan on June 29, 1988, Sultan Ahmad Shah married Sultanah Hajah Kalsom on March 14, 1991, and was blessed with another son, Tengku Fahd Mu'adzam Shah.
The Sultan has been the constitutional head of the International Islamic University (IIUM) since July 1, 1983, and the president of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) since 2011 until recently.
He has also held posts as the president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) from 1984 to 2014, and president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) from 1994 to 2002.
Sultan Ahmad Shah has always been the people's ruler, with a down-to-earth personality, often ignoring protocol during his visits to the districts of Pahang, especially during floods, to help his subjects.
His main concern is the well being of the people in the state, and he has not shied away from voicing out his views when a certain project is deemed to be detrimental to the public.
He was also loved by the media due to his casual nature, and never declined an interview when met during events
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