Al-Sultan Abdullah receiving the titah ikrar (text speech) from his brother, Tengku Muda of Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah Tengku, during his installation ceremony as the new Pahang Ruler at the Balairong Seri, Istana Abu Bakar as Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah looks on, in January 2019. — NIK NAIZI HUSIN/The Star
AL-SULTAN Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the reigning monarch of Pahang, epitomises a sultanate steeped in illustrious history and tradition.
Although Pahang’s royal lineage spans centuries, His Royal Highness’ direct ancestry begins in 1882, marking a pivotal era in the sultanate’s narrative. The saga of the Pahang Malay Sultanate is divided into distinct periods.
Initially founded when Melaka overthrew Siamese dominion in Pahang, it saw its first sultan, Sultan Muhammad Shah, rise in 1470 following his exile from Melaka.
Subsequently, the Melaka dynasty in Pahang ended when Sultan Abdul Ghafur Mohayuddin Syah and his son Raja Muda Abdullah were killed by a family member in 1614.
Through shifts from Melaka to Johor’s governance and the challenges posed by Acheh, the region was ultimately governed under the central administration of Johor and Pahang under the watch of the Bendahara.
The reign of this dynasty ended with the death of Sultan Mahmud Shah II in Kota Tinggi in August 1699, when he was killed by Laksamana Bentan Megat Seri Rama.
As the King had no heir, the throne passed to the most senior family line, led by Bendahara Paduka Raja Tun Abdul Jalil who then ascended the throne as Sultan Abdul Jalil Ri’ayat Shah IV.
The dynasty that ruled Johor-Riau-Pahang persisted until the 19th century, but it was reshaped by the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, which caused Riau to lose its power over the territories of Johor and Pahang.
This development led to the separation of Pahang and Johor into distinct sovereign entities, with each provincial government proclaiming itself a sultanate.
The dawn of modern Pahang emerged in 1882 when the Raja Bendahara dynasty took full control of the territory. This new era was marked by the rise of Wan Ahmad, who became Sultan Ahmad Al-Mu’adzam Shah after a victorious civil strife with his brother. His legacy continued through Sultan Mahmud and Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu’tassim Billah, preceding Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah’s reign until 1974.
Thereafter, Sultan Ahmad Shah’s reign continued until 2019, during which time he also served a distinguished term as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1979 to 1984.
In early 2019, amid health challenges, Sultan Ahmad Shah abdicated under the guidance of the Pahang royal council. Thus, on Jan 15 of that year, his esteemed successor ascended, assuming the regnal name Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, embodying continuity and tradition in the annals of Pahang’s storied monarchy.
