Abdullah of Pahang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abdullah
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| Al-Mustafa Billah (He who is chosen by God) | |||||||||
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Abdullah in 2019
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| Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI | |||||||||
| Reign | 31 January 2019 – 30 January 2024 | ||||||||
| Installation | 30 July 2019 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Muhammad V | ||||||||
| Successor | Ibrahim Iskandar | ||||||||
| Sultan of Pahang | |||||||||
| Reign | 11 January 2019 – present | ||||||||
| Proclamation | 15 January 2019 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Ahmad Shah | ||||||||
| Heir apparent | Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah | ||||||||
| Born | 30 July 1959 Istana Mangga Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang, Federation of Malaya |
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| House | Bendahara | ||||||||
| Father | Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah | ||||||||
| Mother | Tengku Ampuan Hajah Afzan Rahimahallah binti Almarhum Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Muhammad | ||||||||
| Religion | Sunni Islam | ||||||||
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| Education |
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| Military career | |||||||||
| Allegiance |  Malaysia |
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| Service/ |
 Malaysian Army |
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| Years of service | 1978–present | ||||||||
| Rank |  Field marshal Admiral of the Fleet Marshal of the Air Force |
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| Polo | ||
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| SEA Games | ||
| Gold | 1983 Singapore | Men's tournament |
Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah (born 30 July 1959) is the current Sultan of Pahang. He also served as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King, of Malaysia from 2019 to 2024.
Abdullah became the Crown Prince of Pahang in 1975. He studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and later earned a diploma in International Relations. In 1986, he married Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. They have many children, including Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah and Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah.
In January 2019, Abdullah became the Sultan of Pahang after his father stepped down due to health reasons. Later that month, he was chosen to be the 16th King of Malaysia. During his time as King, he played an important role in Malaysia's government, especially when new prime ministers needed to be appointed. His term as King ended in January 2024.
Early Life and Education
Abdullah was born on 30 July 1959, in Pekan, Pahang. He is the oldest son of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan Afzan. He has seven siblings.
Abdullah started school in 1965 at Clifford School in Kuala Lipis. He continued his primary education in Pekan and Kuantan. For secondary school, he attended St. Thomas Secondary School in Kuantan.
He then went to Aldenham School in the United Kingdom from 1975 to 1977. After that, he studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 1978 to 1979. He also attended Worcester College, Oxford and Queen Elizabeth College in the UK from 1980 to 1981. He graduated with a diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Military Training
Abdullah began his military journey at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1978. There, he became friends with Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is now the President of the United Arab Emirates.
In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II made him a second lieutenant. He was promoted to captain in 1980 and served as a cavalry officer. He continued to rise through the ranks, becoming a major in 1987. By 2004, he reached the rank of brigadier general in the Territorial Army Regiment.
Becoming Sultan and King
Abdullah became the Crown Prince of Pahang on 1 July 1975. His official ceremony took place in October 1977.
Serving as Regent
Abdullah served as the Regent of Pahang twice. A regent is someone who rules when the main ruler cannot. The first time was from 1979 to 1984, when his father was elected as the King of Malaysia.
He became regent again in 2016 because his father's health was not good. He served in this role until he became Sultan in 2019.
As Sultan of Pahang
On 15 January 2019, Abdullah was officially announced as the sixth Sultan of modern Pahang. This happened because his father stepped down due to poor health. The ceremony was held at the Istana Abu Bakar. His rule officially began on 11 January 2019.
When he became Sultan, he took the royal title "Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah." His wife, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, became the Queen Consort of Pahang.
As Sultan of Pahang, he is also the Chancellor of University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).
As King of Malaysia
On 24 January 2019, the Conference of Rulers chose Abdullah to be the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King, of Malaysia. He took his oath on 31 January 2019. During his time as King, his son, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, became the Regent of Pahang.
His official installation ceremony as King took place on 30 July 2019. This was a special event because both Abdullah and his wife, Tunku Azizah, are children of former Kings of Malaysia.
As King, Abdullah was the Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces. This meant he held the highest ranks in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He was also the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).
Abdullah's time as King was a busy period for Malaysia's government. He played a key role in appointing new prime ministers during times of political change. For example, he appointed Mahathir Mohamad as interim prime minister and later Muhyiddin Yassin.
In 2021, he declared a nationwide state of emergency to help control the spread of COVID-19. This allowed the government to make important decisions quickly.
In August 2021, after the prime minister resigned, Abdullah appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the new prime minister. In 2022, he approved the dissolution of parliament, leading to a general election. When no single party won enough seats, Abdullah named Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister. He appointed four prime ministers during his reign, which is more than any other King since Malaysia's independence.
His term as King ended on 30 January 2024. Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor was chosen as his successor.
Other Activities
Sports
Tengku Abdullah loves sports, especially polo, football, and hockey. He has played in many tournaments both in Malaysia and around the world. He even won a gold medal in polo at the SEA Games in Singapore in 1983.
He is also involved in sports leadership. He has served as a vice-president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and president of the Asian Hockey Federation. He was also a member of the FIFA Council from 2015 to 2019.
Personal Life
Abdullah's first marriage was to Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah on 6 March 1986. She is the daughter of Sultan Iskandar of Johor. Tunku Azizah is now known as the Queen Consort of Pahang. They have four sons and two daughters together.
His second marriage was to Che Puan Julia Abdul Rais in 1991. She is a former actress. They have three daughters together.
Abdullah also adopted a son named Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah in 1987.
Issue
Sons
- Tengku Ahmad Iskandar Shah, born and died on 24 July 1990.
- Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, the Crown Prince of Pahang, born on 17 September 1995.
- Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah, born on 3 August 1997. He married Tengku Natasya Puteri on 24 October 2024.
- Tengku Ahmad Ismail Muadzam Shah, born on 11 September 2000, twin with his sister Tengku Puteri Afzan.
Daughters
- Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan, born on 11 November 1992. She married Tengku Abu Bakar Ahmad on 24 August 2018. They have two children.
- Tengku Puteri Ilisha Ameera, born on 1 October 1995.
- Tengku Puteri Ilyana, born on 20 April 1997.
- Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafidzatullah, born on 11 September 2000, twin with her brother Tengku Ahmad. She married Fateh Idzham on 22 August 2024.
- Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah 'Athiyatullah, born on 27 April 2002.
Places Named After Him
Many places have been named in honour of Al-Sultan Abdullah, including:
- Al-Sultan Abdullah Mosque in Kuala Lumpur
- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) in Pekan, Pahang
- Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve in Jerantut, Pahang
- Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Puncak Alam, Selangor
- Tengku Abdullah Hockey Stadium in Bangi, Selangor
- Tengku Abdullah Science School (SEMESTA Raub) in Raub, Pahang
See also
In Spanish: Abdullah de Pahang para niños
Images for kids
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Signature of Al-Sultan Abdullah
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Royal Standard of the Sultan of Pahang
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Royal Family Order of Pahang
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Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang
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Order of Sri Setia Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah of Pahang
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Grand Royal Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang
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Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang
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Order of the Crown of Pahang
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Sultan Ahmad Shah Installation Medal
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Sultan Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee Medal
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Royal Family Order of Malaysia
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Order of the Crown of the Realm
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Order of the Defender of the Realm
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Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
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Order of Merit of Malaysia
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Order of Meritorious Service
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Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia
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Most Gallant Order of Military Service
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16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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9th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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8th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
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Royal Family Order of Johor
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Order of the Crown of Johor
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Royal Family Order of Kedah
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Sultan Sallehuddin Installation Medal
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Royal Family Order of Kelantan
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Sultan Muhammad V Proclamation Medal
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Royal Family Order of Perak
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Sultan Azlan Shah Installation Medal
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Sultan Azlan Shah Silver Jubilee Medal
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Sultan Nazrin Shah Installation Medal
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Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail
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Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail Installation Medal
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Royal Family Order of Selangor
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Sultan Sharafuddin Coronation Medal
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Sultan Salahuddin Silver Jubilee Medal
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Family Order of Terengganu
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Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Coronation Medal
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Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Coronation Medal
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Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei
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Sultan of Brunei Golden Jubilee Medal
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Order of Saint-Charles
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Order of the State of Republic of Turkey
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