The King I know

 

From Ashraf Abdullah

I don’t claim to know the outgoing Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, that well, but as a young New Straits Times reporter struggling to grow in the world of journalism, I had many encounters with His Majesty, all of which were pleasant and had a lasting effect on me.

I was posted to Kuantan in 1991 and quickly became acquainted with Tuanku Abdullah, then the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang. As a state correspondent who had to cover literally everything, from politics to sports, my dealings with him were mostly on sports, both football and hockey.

There was something about Tuanku Abdullah’s persona which endeared him to the people.

Reporters could approach him at any time and found themselves working with a member of royalty who embraced the people with open arms, transcending formality and without the usual constraints of protocol. He had no problems answering their most difficult questions.

He dealt with us with great respect. He knew us by our first names. I remember vividly the “pre-council” meetings he would hold with reporters before each Pahang Football Association meeting which he chaired. He was then president of Pahang FA.

He would pick our brains for ideas to improve the state of football in Pahang and the country. He probably used none of it, but he had his way of making people feel important.

Tuanku Abdullah is a keen sportsman and loves football, especially. But as we know, dealing with Malaysian football is like taking a rollercoaster ride, with the downs more than the ups.

Corruption in football

In 1994 all hell broke loose. I was there to witness it all. Corruption seeped into various aspects of football, ranging from match-fixing to financial irregularities.

The Pahang team was doing quite well but wasn’t spared from the scandal. A number of them were involved, directly and indirectly. Tuanku Abdullah fumed, breathing fire, almost.

He did not sit around giving orders or wait for others to act on the problem. He took it upon himself and played a pivotal role in combating football corruption in Pahang and the country, displaying unwavering commitment to clean the sport of unethical practices.

Tuanku Abdullah confronted the issue head-on, implementing measures that would leave a lasting impact on the sport’s landscape.

Recognising the need to nip it in the bud as quickly as possible, Tuanku Abdullah initiated a comprehensive investigation into the corruption scandal.

Meeting the challenge

One of his initiatives was the establishment of an independent committee tasked with delving into the corruption allegations. The committee comprised respected figures from both within and outside the football community, ensuring a fair and impartial assessment of the situation.

Simultaneously, Tuanku Abdullah worked to strengthen internal controls and governance within Malaysian football.

Implementing robust mechanisms for financial oversight and ensuring ethical standards became a priority. His approach was not only aimed at addressing existing issues but also at preventing a recurrence.

As the investigation progressed, Tuanku Abdullah faced numerous challenges, including resistance from those implicated in corrupt practices. However, he remained steadfast, emphasising the importance of upholding the principles of fair play and maintaining the sport’s credibility.

The outcomes of Tuanku Abdullah’s efforts were significant. Scores of players and officials involved in corrupt activities were identified and faced disciplinary action, ranging from suspensions to bans from participating in football-related activities.

A mark of leadership

These measures sent a strong message that corruption would not be tolerated under Tuanku Abdullah’s leadership.

The football corruption scandal and other challenges he faced as Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, as it turned out, was nothing compared to what he was about to face when he took over as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Little did he know on Jan 15, 2019, when Tuanku Abdullah took over as the 16th Yang-di-Pertuan Agong, that his term in office was about to become the most challenging one.

Tuanku Abdullah arrived at a very challenging period of political transition and a health crisis of a magnitude never before seen, not only in Malaysia, but the world over.

Both crises demanded a steady hand at the helm.

He swiftly embraced the responsibility with humility and grace, becoming a stabilising force. He upheld the constitution, maintained the integrity of the monarchy and most importantly, ensured that the country did not come to an economic standstill.

The gathering storm

Tuanku Abdullah found himself at the centre of a political storm.

The rollercoaster began with the resignation of prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in February 2020, amid a power struggle within the ruling coalition. As the nation grappled with the sudden void in leadership, Tuanku Abdullah played a crucial role in appointing a successor who could bring stability to the government.

The first change in leadership saw Muhyiddin Yassin becoming prime minister in March 2020. His premiership, however, was not without challenges.

The country faced the dual crises of a global pandemic and internal political unrest. Dissent within the ruling coalition and a razor-thin majority in parliament added to the complexities that Tuanku Abdullah had to navigate during Muhyiddin’s term.

The second twist in Malaysia’s political saga unfolded in August 2021 when Muhyiddin was forced to resign after failing to secure majority support in Parliament.

At the crossroads

Once again, Tuanku Abdullah found himself at the crossroads of Malaysian politics, tasked with appointing a leader capable of steering the nation through tumultuous times. The appointment of Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister in August 2021 brought a glimmer of hope for stability.

Ismail faced the monumental task of managing the ongoing public health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and stabilising the economy. Tuanku Abdullah, with his constitutional duty, played a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth transition of power.

However, the political rollercoaster in Malaysia had one more turn in store. Ismail’s government was under pressure from his own party, Umno, to dissolve Parliament and call for a fresh general election. Although Ismail resisted at first, he eventually gave in, just over a year after he assumed the top post.

After the election, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, who managed to secure support from the various parties in Malaysia, including Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak, was appointed the 10th prime minister of Malaysia.

Anwar’s appointment marked the unprecedented change of four prime ministers during Tuanku Abdullah’s reign.

Dealing with instability

The recurring and frequent changes in prime ministers underscored the fragility of the political alliances within Malaysia after the fall of the BN government in 2018.

The nation faced not only the challenges of the pandemic and economic uncertainty, but also the need for a resilient and cohesive political leadership.

As the nation grappled with the constant shifts in leadership and uncertainty, Tuanku Abdullah remained a steadfast symbol of continuity and constitutional stability.

He had exercised political wisdom in appointing leaders capable of steering Malaysia through crises and fostering a sense of unity. It was no easy feat.

As we bid farewell to Tuanku Abdullah who steps down on Jan 30, it is impossible to ignore the profound impact he has had on Malaysia’s trajectory.

His legacy is one of inclusivity, progress, and a commitment to the principles that bind the nation together. The pages of history will undoubtedly celebrate his reign as a period of stability in crisis and positive transformation.

Tuanku Abdullah’s departure leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of his subjects, and the echoes of his reign will resonate for generations to come.

Malaysians hope the future will unfold with the same spirit of unity and progress that Tuanku Abdullah has so admirably championed.

Farewell, Your Majesty. We felt safe under your reign.

Dirgahayu Tuanku. Patik menjunjung kasih. - FMT

Ashraf Abdullah is a former group managing editor of Media Prima TV Networks.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.