KUANTAN: The main road between Istana Abdul Aziz in Indera Mahkota and the Kuantan Air Force Base here was lined with thousands of people who were excitedly sending-off the Sultan of Pahang Al- Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for his installation as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong, today.
The crowd, which had gathered as early as 6am, were waving the Pahang flag and trying to catch a glimpse of the royal motorcade as it passed.
Inside the air force base, thousands more, including politicians and schoolchildren, had gathered and were carrying banners and mini Jalur Gemilang flags.
Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah arrived at the air force base at about 7.40am.
The Sultan and Tun Azizah Aminah waved at the crowd after alighting from their vehicle and mounted the stage to join Tengku Muda Pahang, Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah and Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
The national anthem Negaraku was played by the Royal Malaysian Air Force band, which was followed by the military’s 21-gun salute.
Clad in a turquoise baju melayu, Al-Sultan Abdullah then inspected the guard of honour, after which Negaraku was played for a second time.
The royal couple next boarded a jeep and stood waving at the crowd as it transported them across the tarmac to a special aircraft bound for Kuala Lumpur.
As Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah Aminah climbed the aircraft’s stairs, they turned once again to wave at the crowd, who shouted of “Allahuakbar” and “Daulat Tuanku” (long live the Sultan).
On Jan 24, Al-Sultan Abdullah was chosen as the 16th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
In a statement, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, said that Al-Sultan Abdullah’s five-year tenure as Agong would start on Jan 31.
The new Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong will take their oaths of office and sign the instrument of office later today.