Al-Sultan Abdullah attends last pre-Cabinet meeting as King

PETALING JAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah attended his final pre-Cabinet meeting, in his capacity as the nation’s Supreme Ruler.

His Majesty’s term, as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, ends on Jan 30, after which he returns to Pahang and resumes his duties as the Sultan.

The Sultan role is currently being handled by Al-Sultan Abdullah’s eldest son and heir to the Pahang throne Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Hence, the pre-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday (Jan 23) is a special one for both Al-Sultan Abdullah and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Since becoming the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah had consented to attend 160 pre-Cabinet meetings with four different prime ministers – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Anwar.

Also at the meeting was Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Mohd Zaki Ali.

The briefing is a weekly affair between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the prime minister, held before the Cabinet meeting, to facilitate the exchange of opinions as well as the discussion on matters related to the government.

Once Al-Sultan Abdullah’s term ends, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar will assume his role as the nation’s 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.