30 Daulat Tuanku THE STAR, MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021 Humble and sporting Ruler DATUK Mohd Rashid Hasnon’s first close encounter with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was when he was Penang deputy chief minister. He said Sultan Abdullah (who was then Tengku Mahkota of Pahang) had just been appointed as president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in May 2014. “As the head of a prestigious sports association, His Majesty handled his responsibilities firmly when facing criticism from various quarters, especially from sports fans and critics from all over the country. “I never saw Sultan Abdullah get angry or feel offended by any remarks. Instead, he took the comments in his stride and viewed them as constructive criticism for the future of the country’s football,” he said in an interview with The Star. Mohd Rashid added that every time he and His Majesty met during a friendly football match involving Penang, Pahang or Selangor, Sultan Abdullah would approach the spectators and amiably chatted with them. Sultan Abdullah giving the Jalur Gemilang to ex-national football coach Datuk K. Rajagopal before a match in October “That really grabbed my atten- 2011. (Inset) Mohd Rashid often saw His Majesty chatting with spectators at matches. — M. AZHAR ARIF/The Star tion. Tuanku was never arrogant and treated everybody with full Parliament get to meet him when follows the Federal Constitution in them during meals or while distancing, Sultan Abdullah had respect although His Majesty is a the Parliament convenes during all of his speeches to ensure that playing sports. consented for the surau located highly respected figure. the start of each meeting,” he it becomes a guide and basis for “Whenever I meet Tuanku, his within the Istana Negara grounds “His Majesty is very well added. Malaysia. family will always be by his side to be opened to the public for acquainted with football and Mohd Rashid, who is Batu Pahat Recalling last year’s leadership and Tuanku will introduce them to Friday prayers. adopted some of the concepts of MP and the Dewan Rakyat’s Deputy crisis, when each lawmaker was all of us,” he added. “As the head of state that the game during his term as FAM Speaker, added that the King summoned to meet His Majesty “Sultan Abdullah is a leader who upholds Islam, His Majesty’s life is president. would give his advice and views to one by one, Mohd Rashid said is moderate, including as the head very close to religion,” Mohd “Tuanku is an excellent planner all MPs as the head of the country. Sultan Abdullah was calm and of Islam in Malaysia. Rashid said, adding that Sultan who can strategise amazingly and “The King’s speeches are very listened to their opinions. “Everything is conducted Abdullah was also a humble and communicate well with all the much in line with the Standing On His Majesty’s personal life, perfectly according to the tenets of down-to-earth person. players in order to achieve victory. Order and rules of the august Mohd Rashid said the King was Islam and implemented in modera- “Tuanku will sometimes stop by “From my personal point of House, showing his deep under- known to be very close with his tion,” Mohd Rashid said. the roadside and talk to the rakyat. view, Sultan Abdullah is a warm standing in the administration family members, especially his He added that prior to the “He has even helped small busi- person with a friendly smile. and management of Parliament,” wife and children. Covid-19 pandemic, which saw nesses by buying items directly “Tuanku is also an interesting he said. “Tuanku spends time with his the enforcement of movement from the rakyat, which they really character and Members of He also noted that His Majesty children and usually interacts with restrictions including physical appreciate,” he said. Wishes for a beloved King YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah help those in need. Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is a wise “This practice has continued during his and compassionate Ruler who is the symbol current reign as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” of unity of all Malaysians regardless of their he said. background. Aznil, popularly known as Pak Nil, added Malaysians believe that the King repre- that the rakyat was lucky to be able to see sents harmony among the multiracial the King and Queen exercising their royal and religious communities living in the duties through photos and videos shared on country. social media. Despite the postponement of events and “We rarely see any form of strict protocol programmes in conjunction with the King’s as the King blends in naturally with his official birthday this year, Malaysians of all subjects. backgrounds continue to extend their good “Our King clearly shows that he is one wishes. with the rakyat and never creates any This is the second time that all events in barriers between him and us,” he said. conjunction with the King’s official birthday Aznil added that the rest of the royal have been postponed to another date due to family, including Pahang Regent Tengku Low: ‘I hope His Majesty’s reign will be Aznil: ‘His Majesty is the best person to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, also shared Lawyer Datuk Andy Low Hann Yong said the same traits, values and humbleness that peaceful and that he will live a long and lead the country during this challenging the King was a symbol of peace and a sage warmed the hearts of the rakyat. healthy life.’ and uncertain time.’ Ruler who has the rakyat’s best interests at “They are often seen with minimal police heart at all times. presence or protocols, and the people really Sabahan Jim Matthew, 40, said Sultan country without fail, even when some people “My hope is that His Majesty’s reign will appreciate this about them,” he said. Abdullah was always down-to-earth and have raised controversial views. be peaceful and that he will live a long and He also noted that Sultan Abdullah was caring towards the people. “His Majesty has also proven that he is healthy life,” he said. helming the country during a particularly “His Majesty always seems to be up to level-headed and makes sound decisions for Television host and popular personality challenging period. date on current issues and the welfare of his the well-being of the rakyat. Datuk Aznil Nawawi said the King was a “His Majesty is playing a big role in people. “When talk of an Emergency was first humble and down-to-earth person, and that managing the Covid-19 pandemic and “I remember the many times the King raised amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the King there was no protocol barrier between him the rakyat is always behind him. stopped to help accident victims he encoun- did not simply accept the government’s pro- and the people. “I believe Allah put him in the right tered on his journeys, as well as the time posal; rather, the King listened to the rakyat’s “Even when he was still the Crown Prince place at the right time to steer the country His Majesty and the Queen went down to sentiments and asked for more solid reasons of Pahang, he followed in the footsteps of his forward,” said Aznil, who expressed his con- the ground to check on the welfare of flood to justify an Emergency,” she said. father, who had no qualms about going fidence that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong victims in Pahang,” he recalled. Priyanka noted that the King had also down to the ground to meet the people. would use his wisdom to make the right University student S. Priyanka, 23, said the given much concern to every decision made “There are many pictures of His Majesty decisions for the people. King had shown exceptional discretion and by the government to address the impact of going on a boat ride or a four-wheel drive “I wish Tuanku a long and healthy life, consideration for all races in Malaysia. Covid-19, especially on financial and eco- with Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah and I hope Malaysia will prosper under “The King and Queen have acknowledged nomic matters such as unemployment and Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah to his reign,” he said. every major cultural celebration in the the most affected sectors of the economy..