King receives PM in first pre-Cabinet meeting of 2020
THE STAR
Wednesday, 08 Jan 20201:33 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has received Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the first weekly pre-Cabinet meeting of this year.
Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement Wednesday (Jan 8), said the meeting at Istana Melawati, Putrajaya, which started at 8am, took place for 55 minutes.
“The meeting today is the first this year (2020) between Al-Sultan Abdullah and Dr Mahathir. Both leaders appeared friendly and were meticulous during the meeting that took place today, ” he said.
Ahmad Fadil said the pre-Cabinet meeting was among the weekly activities or main routines of the King to discuss and exchange ideas with the Prime Minister.
“Thirty-two pre-Cabinet meetings took place between the King and the Prime Minister last year (2019), ” he said.
The meeting would still be held if the Prime Minister was not able to attend and he would be represented by his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Ahmad Fadil added. – Bernama
THE STAR
Friday, 10 Jan 2020
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah admitted that his duties as the current Malaysian king are indeed difficult and challenging.
Sultan Abdullah said the responsibilities entrusted on him were very heavy, especially in uniting a multi-racial society with diverse views and opinions.
"I feel that the tasks and responsibilities have become heavier.
"If it is only being the Sultan of Pahang, I might have a good grasp of everything, but when appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it is indeed a different story. I have to learn so many things that I know nothing about.
"I personally never thought that I have to read a lot of government papers and sign so many letters and instruments, which are part of the King’s duties.
"Hence, I hope no matter how small the step I’m taking, I will continue uniting the people, and I will do my level best to reach out to the people and to assist them in every possible way, ” the King said after attending the thanksgiving prayer in conjunction with the first anniversary celebration of his ascension to Pahang’s throne on Jan 15, at Istana Negara tonight.
Earlier, he joined about 500 guests in performing Maghrib prayer led by the Imam of Pekan Mosque Khairul Anuar Mohd Nor and solat hajat led by the Mufti of Pahang Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman.
The event was attended by the four generations of Pahang royal family, including children and grandchildren of Al-Sultan Abdullah, the late Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta´in Billah (Sultan Pahang V), the late Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah (Sultan Pahang IV) dan the late Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu’tassim Billah (Sultan Pahang III).
Sultan Abdullah was proclaimed the sixth ruler of Pahang on Jan 15,2019, to replace his ailing father Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah before the latter died on May 22 the same year. – Bernama
