Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah ( Jawi: ; 24 October 1930 – 22 May 2019) was the fifth modern Sultan of Pahang, and also served as the seventh

Yang di-Pertuan Agong The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (, Jawi: ), also known as the Supreme Head of the Federation, the Paramount Ruler or simply as the Agong, and unofficially as the King of Malaysia, is the constitutional monarch and head of state of Malaysia. The of ...

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

from 26 April 1979 to 25 April 1984. His

abdication Abdication is the act of formally relinquishing monarchical authority. Abdications have played various roles in the succession procedures of monarchies. While some cultures have viewed abdication as an extreme abandonment of duty, in other societ ...

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. The abdication announced the next day which was retroactively effective on the day of the Royal Council meeting, paving the way to his son,

Abdullah Abdullah may refer to: * Abdullah (name), a list of people with the given name or surname * Abdullah, Kargı, Turkey, a village * ''Abdullah'' (film), a 1980 Bollywood film directed by Sanjay Khan * '' Abdullah: The Final Witness'', a 2015 Pakis ...

to succeed him as Sultan immediately, and subsequently be elected as the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong later the same month.

Biography

Born on at 12:00 pm. Friday 24 October 1930 at Istana Mangga Tunggal, Pekan,

Pahang Pahang (;Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , Pahang Hulu Malay: ''Paha'', Pahang Hilir Malay: ''Pahaeng'', Ulu Tembeling Malay: ''Pahaq)'' officially Pahang Darul Makmur with the Arabic honorific ''Darul Makmur'' (Jawi: , "The Abode of Tranquility") is a ...

. he was the only son of Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu’tassim Billah Shah (reigned 1932–died 1974) by his official and royal consort, Tengku Ampuan Besar Raja Fatimah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah (1910–1988), a princess of Perak royal family. A student of the

Malay College Kuala Kangsar The Malay College Kuala Kangsar (abbreviated MCKK; ; ) is a premier residential school in Malaysia. It is an elite all-boys and all- Malay school in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, Perak. It is sometimes dubbed "the Eton College of the East". ...

, he received diplomas in public administration from

Worcester College Worcester College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. The college was founded in 1714 by the benefaction of Sir Thomas Cookes, 2nd Baronet (1648–1701) of Norgrove, Worcestershire, whose coat of arms w ...

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

and the

University of Exeter , mottoeng = "We Follow the Light" , established = 1838 - St Luke's College1855 - Exeter School of Art1863 - Exeter School of Science 1955 - University of Exeter (received royal charter) , type = Public , ...

. He succeeded his father as sultan in 1974. His election as the 7th

in 1979 was marked with controversy as he was said to be at odds with the incoming prime minister Dr. 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 hobby was playing football, golf, polo, and equestrian activities. Sultan Ahmad Shah is a keen sportsman and was the President of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) from 1984 until 2014, the President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) until 2002 and Asean Football Federation (AFF) 2011 until 2019. His official and royal consort, Tengku Ampuan Afzan binti Tengku Panglima Perang Muhammad, a member of the Terengganu royal family, served as his

Raja Permaisuri Agong ''Raja Permaisuri Agong'' ( Jawi: راج ڤرمايسوري اݢوڠ; full title: ''Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong''; سري ڤدوک بݢيندا راج ڤرمايسوري اݢوڠ, literally ''The Que ...

but died of cancer on her return to Pahang on 29 June 1988. Sultan Ahmad Shah's second wife Kalsom binti Abdullah (''nee'' Anita), was designated as the Sultanah of Pahang in 1991. They then both had a child, Tengku Arif Temenggong Pahang Tengku Fahd Mua'adzam.

Death

After being ill for some time, Sultan Ahmad Shah abdicated with effect from 11 January 2019 (when it was the turn of Pahang 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 aged 88. 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 The Abu Bakar Royal Mosque ( ms, Masjid Diraja Abu Bakar) is Pahang's royal mosque which is located in Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia. It was officially opened in 1976 by Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang replacing the nearby Abdullah Mosque or Old Royal ...

in Pekan,

. The state of Pahang observed 40 days of mourning, and Pahang flags across the state were flown at

half-mast Half-mast or half-staff (American English) refers to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building. In many countries this is seen as a symbol of respect, mourning, distress, or, in some cases, a salu ...

, while all entertainment events for the next 3 days were cancelled.

Issue

Awards and recognitions

Honours

As 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. Until he stepped down in 2019 he was the RMAF's Colonel in Chief and appeared at official RMAF ceremonies. He has been awarded :

Honours of Pahang

* : **

MY-PAH Royal Family Order of Pahang - DKP

Founding Grand Master and Member (DKP) of the Royal Family Order of Pahang (since 24 October 1977) ** MY-PAH Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang - DK I

MY-PAH Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang - DK I

Grand Master and Member 1st class (DK I) of the

Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang The Most Esteemed Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang ( Malay: ''Darjah Kerabat Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat Dihormati'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Pahang. History Instituted on 25 May 1967, the order is awarde ...

(since 1974) ** MY-PAH Grand Royal Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang - SDSA

Founding Grand Master of the

Grand Royal Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor * Grand Mixer DXT, American turntablist * Grand Puba (born 1966), American rapper Places * Grand, Oklahoma * Grand, Vosges, village and co ...

(SDSA, since 23 October 2010) ** MY-PAH Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang - Grand Knight - SSAP

Founding Grand Master and Grand Knight of the

Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang The Most Illustrious Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang ( Malay: ''Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang Yang Amat Di Mulia'') is a knighthood order of the Sultanate of Pahang. History The order was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah on 24 O ...

(SSAP, since 24 October 1977) ** MY-PAH Order of the Crown of Pahang - Grand Knight - SIMP

Knight Companion (DIMP), Grand Knight (SIMP) and Grand Master of the

Order of the Crown of Pahang The Esteemed Order of the Crown of Pahang ( Malay: '' Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat Mulia'') is a knighthood order of the Sultanate of Pahang. History The order was founded by Sultan Abu Bakar on 27 December 1968. It is awarded ...

(since 1974) ** Silver Jubilee Medal (Pahang)

Sultan Abu Bakar Silver Jubilee Medal (24 June 1957)

National

* (as

, 29 March 1979 – 25 April 1984) : ** MY Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia - Royal Family Order of Malaysia - DKM

Recipient of

Order of the Royal House of Malaysia Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

(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 The Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country. The Order Motto are 'Dipeliharakan Allah-Pangkuan Negara' (By the Grace ...

** Grand Master (1979-1984) of the

Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia The Most Esteemed Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia ( ms, Darjah Yang Mulia Setia Mahkota Malaysia) is a Malaysian federal award presented for meritorious service to the country and awarded by the sovereign. The order was instituted ...

MY Darjah Bakti - Order of Merit of Malaysia - DB

Grand Master (1979-1984) of the

Order of Merit of Malaysia The Order of Merit ( ms, Darjah Bakti) is a Malaysian federal award presented for those who have made significant contributions in art, science or humanity and are renowned at national and international level. This award was instituted on 26 June ...

MY Panglima Setia Diraja - Order of the Royal Household - PSD

Grand Master (1979-1984) of the

Order of the Royal Household of Malaysia Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

* : **

Sultan Ismail Coronation Medal (10 February 1960) **

Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johor - ribbon bar

Knight Grand Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Johor The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johor ( Malay: ''Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia'') is an Order of chivalry awarded by the Sultan of Johor. It was first instituted on July 31, 1886. It is awarded in three classes: *Knight Grand Co ...

(SPMJ) - Dato' (1972) **

Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Johor - ribbon bar

First Class of the

Royal Family Order of Johor The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Johor (Bahasa Melayu : ''Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati''),World Medal IndexDecorations of Johor/ref>Colecciones Militares (Antonio Prieto Barrio)Decorations of Johor/ref> is a chivalrous order a ...

(DK I) (1 November 1975) **

Sultan Ibrahim Coronation Medal (23 March 2015) * : ** MY-KED Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK)

Member of the

Royal Family Order of Kedah The Most Illustrious Royal Family Order of Kedah (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Mulia Kedah'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Kedah. History It was founded by Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah on 21 February 1964. Classes It ...

(DK) * : ** MY-KEL Royal Family Order - Star of Yunus - DK

Recipient of the Royal Family Order or ''Star of Yunus'' (DK) * : ** MY-NEG Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan - DKNS

Member of the

Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a ci ...

(DKNS) * : ** MY-PERA Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (before 2001)

Grand Knight of the

Order of Cura Si Manja Kini Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

(SPCM) — Dato' Seri (1970) ** MY-PERA_Royal_Family_Order_of_Perak_-_DK_(before_2001)

Member of the Royal Family Order of Perak (DK) (1975) * : ** MY-PERL Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail - DK

Recipient of the

Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail Perlis, ( Northern Malay: ''Peghelih''), also known by its honorific title Perlis Indera Kayangan, is the smallest state in Malaysia by area and population. Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it borders the Thai provinces ...

(DK) * : ** MY-SEL Royal Family Order of Selangor - DK I

First Class of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I) (1987) * : ** MY-TER Family Order of Terengganu 1st class - DK I

Member first class of the

Family Order of Terengganu The Most Distinguished Family Order of Terengganu (Bahasa Melayu: ''Darjah Kebesaran Kerabat Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia'') is an honorific order of the Sultanate of Terengganu. History It was founded by Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu o ...

(DK I)

Foreign

* : **

ARG_Order_of_the_Liberator_San_Martin_-_Grand_Cross_BAR

Grand Cross of the

Order of the Liberator General San Martín The Order of the Liberator General San Martín ( es, Orden del Libertador General San Martín) is the highest decoration in Argentina. It is awarded to foreign politicians or military, deemed worthy of the highest recognition from Argentina. It is ...

(26 September 2006) * : ** BRU Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei

Recipient of

Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei The Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei ( ms, Darjah Kerabat Mahkota Brunei) is an order of Brunei. It was established on 15 August 1982 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DKMB". Recipients Bruneian ro ...

(DKMB) **

First Class of the

Family Order of Laila Utama The Most Esteemed Family Order of Laila Utama ( ms, Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Amat Dihormati) is an order of Brunei. It was established on 1 March 1954 by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DK" as ...

(DK) - Dato Laila Utama (1980) * : ** Order of Mubarak the Great (Kuwait) - ribbon bar

Collar of the

Order of Mubarak the Great The Order of Mubarak the Great (''Wisam Mubarak al-Kabir'') is a knighthood order of Kuwait. History The Order was founded on 16 July 1974 by the national government to celebrate the memory of Mubarak Al-Sabah called ''the Great'', Sheikh of Ku ...

* : **

Order of the Star of Romania - Ribbon bar

Star of the Socialist Republic of Romania 1st class (25 November 1982) * : ** Decoration without ribbon - en

Badr Chain Badr (Arabic: بدر) as a given name below is an Arabic masculine and feminine name given to the " full moon on its fourteenth night" or the ecclesiastical full moon. Badr may refer to: .and it is also one of the oldest and rarest names in the Arab ...

(January 1982) * : ** Grand Order of Mugunghwa (South Korea) - ribbon bar

Grand Order of Mugunghwa The Grand Order of Mugunghwa ( ko, 무궁화대훈장) is the highest order awarded by the government of South Korea. It is awarded to the President of South Korea, and it may be awarded to their spouse, heads or former heads of state of South Ko ...

* : **

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (2 June 1953)

Places named after him

Several places were named after him, including: * Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Campus (

Universiti Tenaga Nasional Universiti Tenaga Nasional ( en, The National Energy University; UNITEN) is a private university, located in Selangor, Malaysia, with GLC university status. It is wholly owned by the public-listed Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), established in ...

(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 Mosque The Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque ( ms, Masjid Negeri Sultan Ahmad 1) is Pahang's state mosque. It is located in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. History It is named after the recorded Sultan Ahmad al-Mu’azzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Bendahara Sri Mahar ...

Kuantan Kuantan ( Jawi: ) is a city and the state capital of Pahang, Malaysia. It is located near the mouth of the Kuantan River. Kuantan is the 18th largest city in Malaysia based on 2010 population, and the largest city in the East Coast of Peni ...

Sultan Ahmad Shah Bridge Sultan Ahmad Shah Bridge or Temerloh Bridge is the main bridge on Pahang River near Temerloh, Pahang, Malaysia. The 575 m bridge is located at Federal route Federal Route 2. History In 1971, the old Temerloh Bridge spanning across the Pahang ...

(

Temerloh Bridge Sultan Ahmad Shah Bridge or Temerloh Bridge is the main bridge on Pahang River near Temerloh, Pahang, Malaysia. The 575 m bridge is located at Federal route Federal Route 2. History In 1971, the old Temerloh Bridge spanning across the Pahang ...

) on Federal Route at

Temerloh Temerloh is a municipality in central Pahang, Malaysia. Temerloh has been proven to be the "centre of Peninsular Malaysia" (Malay: ) 3TS, which is situated at Kampung Paya Siput, Lanchang. Located about from Kuala Lumpur along the Kuantan–Kua ...

Sultan Ahmad Shah II Bridge Sultan Ahmad Shah II Bridge or Semantan Bridge is the longest highway bridge in the East Coast Expressway network. It bridges the Pahang River in Pahang, Malaysia. This 700-metre bridge was opened when the East Coast Expressway was built. It cro ...

(

Semantan Bridge Sultan Ahmad Shah II Bridge or Semantan Bridge is the longest highway bridge in the East Coast Expressway network. It bridges the Pahang River in Pahang, Malaysia. This 700-metre bridge was opened when the East Coast Expressway was built. It cro ...

) on

East Coast Expressway The East Coast Expressway is an interstate controlled-access highway running parallel to the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The currently operational segment of the expressway runs between Karak, Pahang and Kuala Nerus, Terengganu ...

at Semantan *

Sultan Ahmad Shah III Bridge Sultan Ahmad Shah III Bridge or Chenor Bridge is the main bridge on Pahang River near Temerloh, Pahang, Malaysia. The 530 metre bridge is located near Chenor. History The bridge was constructed in 2004 and was completed in 2006. It was official ...

( Chenor Bridge) at

Chenor Chenor is a mukim in Maran District, Pahang, Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federal constitutional monarchy consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into ...

* Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (formerly Northam Road) in George Town, Penang *

Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Kuala Lumpur Jalan Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, formerly Jalan Khidmat Usaha, is a major road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was named after seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (1979–1984). On 26 November 2014, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall ...

(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 Piala Sumbangsih (English: Malaysia Charity Cup), also known as Piala Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah ( en, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup), is the Malaysian super cup competition. It is the curtain raiser match to the new Malaysian football season, pitting ...

(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 * Akademi Maritim Sultan Ahmad Shah (AMSAS) in Kuantan, Pahang

Ancestry

Notes

References

* Coercion and Governance: The Declining Political Role of the Military in Asia, Muthiah Alagappa, Stanford University Press, 2001, * Information Malaysia, Published by Berita Publ. Sdn. Bhd., 1989 * The Europa Year Book, Europa Publications Limited, 1984,

External links

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. {{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmad Shah Monarchs of Malaysia Sultans of Pahang 1930 births 2019 deaths People from Pahang Royal House of Pahang Marshals of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Presidents of the Asian Football Confederation Malaysian people of Malay descent Malaysian Muslims Monarchs who abdicated Recipients of the Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia First Classes of Royal Family Order of Selangor First Classes of the Royal Family Order of Johor Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor Members of the Royal Family Order of Kedah First Classes of the Family Order of Terengganu Alumni of Worcester College, Oxford Grand Crosses of the Order of the Liberator General San Martin 20th-century Malaysian politicians 21st-century Malaysian politicians Recipients of the Order of the Crown of the Realm