Sultan of Pahang

DAULAT TUANKU
Sultan Ahmad Shah AL-Musta’in Billah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah

Sultan of Pahang

Age 86 (2016)/Born: 24 October 2016

Empathic And Caring Sultan

By Ong Han Sean

Source: StarSpecial/Monday, 24 October 2016

Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah exchanging Hari Raya greetings with a senior citizen after the Solat Aidil Fitri in Masjid Negeri, Kuantan, in July this year.

Sultan Ahmad Shah giving his assurance to the orang asli in Kampong Kuala Boh, Kampong Manson and Kampong Lemoi that their affairs will be taken care of by the Government and him, during his visit to Kampong Manson, Cameron Highlands, in October 2011.

Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob giving out school aid to students affected by floods in January last year.

Sultan Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V and Sultan Ahmad Shah at the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Oct 14 this year. - Bernama

 Selected Video

DYMM Sultanah Kalsom Pahang

AS the Sultan of Pahang celebrates his birthday today, he can be proud of the 42 years as the state’s Ruler. Turning 86, Sultan Ahmad Shah AL-Musta’in Billah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah remains concerned about the welfare of his subjects and the development of his state.

In his speech at the opening of the state assembly in May this year, the Ruler said he was happy with Pahang’s economic growth of 4.6% last year.

With the beginning of the 11^th Malaysia Plan, Sultan Ahmad Shah expressed his hope that it would be implemented by giving priority to the people and the prosperity of the nation. He was also confident that the State government under the leadership of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob would execute the programmes under the plan effectively.

The Ruler was grateful as the value of investments in the state had increased, giv­ing a host of economic benefits to the people.

“Investment activities are important for the growth of the state’s economy because they will provide job opportunities for the people besides creating an economic spin-off effect. This is good for the state,” he said.

However, Sultan Ahmad Shah said he also understood the struggle of the people and sympathised with them.

“The prices of goods and services have increased. We understand that the economy of the state and our country is affected by the uncertain global economic situation.

“I hope the state government will continue to give attention and find ways to help those who are pressured by the situation. Assistance given to the needy students, the poor and those with chronic illnesses must be continued as what the state government has provided all this while,” he said.

After several environmental issues faced by his subjects over the past year, Sultan Ahmad Shah reminded the state government to give priority to environmental conserva­tion while implementing development plans.

He said the condition of highlands, water sources, rivers, lakes and islands must be taken into consideration whenever any development work was carried out.

“This is a must because the state and its contents will be inherited by the next generation. It is our duty to leave a lasting legacy for them,” he said.

The Ruler added that an environment, which is in good condition and well main­tained, would encourage tourism activities in the state. “Progressive tourism activities can help generate a good economic cycle for the state.”

For the welfare of his orang ash subjects, Sultan Ahmad Shah hoped that efforts to gazette orang ash reserve land would be expedited.

“Besides that, economic opportunities for them must be worked out. The orang ash cannot live like before. They must adapt to the times.

“My state government will not neglect the interests of the orang ash,” he said.

Sultan Ahmad Shah was born on Oct 24, 1930, at Istana Mangga Tunggal in Pekan, and was the only son of Sultan Abu Bakar and Tengku Ampuan Fatimah.

He had his early education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and later, his higher education at Worcester College, Oxford, and the University of Exeter in the fields of public administration and local government.

The Ruler married Tengku Ampuan Afzan in 1954 and the couple were blessed with two princes and five princesses.

Sultan Ahmad Shah succeeded his father as the Ruler of the largest state in the penin­sula when the latter passed away in 1974.

His royal consort Tengku Ampuan Afzan passed away in 1988.

In 1991, Sultan Ahmad Shah married Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom and the couple were blessed with a prince. The Ruler is interested in outdoor sports, particularly polo, which he played with skill in his younger years.

Sultan Ahmad Shah’s eldest son, Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah, has continued his father’s close relationship with the people. He could be seen representing Sultan Ahmad Shah in official functions and would personally meet with the people in times of disasters.

To share the activities of Sultan Ahmad Shah and the royal family with the people, Tengku Abdullah had launched the Portal Diraja Pahang website.

The portal would also publish other matters related to state development programmes and activities.

All in all, Sultan Ahmad Shah and the Pahang royal family have kept to the traditional values of staying in touch with his subjects, embodying the phrase “the ruler and the people can never be separated”.

Flourishing Investments

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China vice-governor Zhang Xiaoqin, Jebasingam, MCKIPSdn Bhd chairman and IJM Corporation Bhd, MD-CEO Datuk Soam Heng Choon and other members of the delegation from China and Malaysia watering the Khaya tree next to the MCKIP rag. monument in June this year, 2016.

By Ong Han Sean

StarSpecial/Monday, 24 October 2016

AS another year goes by, Pahang continues to grow as a major focus for investors, generating RM47.7M in investments as at July this year.

An outcome of the Government’s strategic infrastructure, high-impact projects and programmes through the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) to drive investment into Pahang, the growth had in turn created more than 48,323 job opportunities for the people.

The four industrial parks in the state, namely the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP), Gambang Halal Industrial Park, Pekan Automotive Park and the Kuantan Integrated Biopark, had continued to be the key investment drivers.

Collectively, these industrial parks had received investments amounting to RM12.5bil that had been approved for  the period between 2007 and July 2016, which was expected to create 13,760 job opportunities.

Of the total foreign investments in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), more than RM13.6bil or 38.5% came from China investors, centred mostly at MCKIP.

With the increasing demand for land from China investors, MCKIP which began in 2013 with 566.56 hectares, was given the approval last year to be expanded to 1,214 hectares.

Earlier this year, MCKIP secured investments worth RM1.58bil from China and Malaysia, reflecting investors’ confidence in the ECER.

LJ Hightech Material Sdn Bhd had commit­ted to invest RM1bil in a high-technology production-based centre to produce concrete panels for construction industries and activated rubber powder, while Guangxi Investment Group had committed to invest RM580mil in an aluminium component manufacturing facility.

“The ECER is rapidly transforming into one of Malaysia’s most dynamic regions, offering diverse business opportunities for international investors who are looking to make fresh investments or expand their existing facilities.

“The Government, through ECERDC, will continue to invest in strategic game-changing infrastructure such as ports, highways and industrial parks • while introducing various incentives and business-friendly policies to ensure that the region remains a premier investment destination,” said ECERDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John.

Meanwhile, in the tourism sector, some of the new investments approved recently totalling RM61.6mil include the building of a new four-star resort hotel in Kuala Rompin by Lanjut Golf Sdn Bhd and a new hotel in Kuantan by Skytree Hotel Sdn Bhd.

The.bumiputra SME sector had also played a key role in investment growth with 35 bumiputra companies from Pahang having benefited from the various incentives put in place by the ECERDC through the TERAJU@ ECER programme.

Approved investments from these compa­nies amounted to RM6.88bil and they are expected to create 3,841 job opportunities.

With the establishment of the Dana Mudahcara TERAJU@ECER between 2012 and July 2016,14 projects have been

accepted, with investments amounting to RM358.4mil, focused mainly in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Other than emphasis on capital economy, the ECERDC had also continued its human capital development programmes focused on the Below 40% household income group (B40). To date, about 34,638 people had benefited, including the 7,460 micro entrepreneurs nurtured through the human capital development programme.

These entrepreneurs in turn had generated in excess of 10,444 new job opportunities for the local communities, showcasing the spillover benefits of such human capital development initiatives.

More recently, 12 entrepreneurs had also been given the opportunity to set up their businesses at the Kompleks Hasil Laut and Medan Ikan Bakar in Kuala Pahang.

The project, which was completed in April tfus year, is scheduled to commence operations soon.

ECERDC is also working with Felda to ensure that the Agropolitan projects continue to support the local economy, while continuing with the various development projects at the six districts that were former­ly under the Lembaga Kemajuan Pahang Tenggara (DARA) and Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Jengka (LKWJ) areas.

“We will continue to implement high- impact and game-changing infrastructure projects in Pahang under the 11th Malaysia Plan to ensure that we attract the right investments and talent into the ECER.

Our aim is to transform the ECER’s socio-economy in line with the National Transformation Policy or NTP,” said Jebasingam.

Ruler of the people

Kerdau assemblyman Datuk Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad.

Assemblyman for Kemayan constituency Datuk Fadil Osman.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department officer Anuar Hassan.

By Nik Naizi Husin

THE Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah has always been known as the people’s Sultan and is well-respected among his subjects.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department officer Anuar Hassan said the Ruler had always been there for the people during rain or shine.

“During hard times such as a flood, Sultan Ahmad Shah would visit the affected areas and victims.

“He does not only act like a Ruler, but also like a ‘wakil rakyat’. As a Fire and Rescue Department staff, when I was on duty during inci­dents, Sultan Ahmad Shah was there too to visit the victims and hand out contributions to them.

“He is the Ruler in the people’s heart,” said Anuar.

Kemayan assemblyman Datuk Fadil Osman said Sultan Ahmad Shah was the best Ruler he had ever come across.

“It is very difficult to find someone like him as the state Ruler. He is hardwork­ing, loving and always cares for his subjects,” he said.

Kerdau assemblyman Datuk Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad described Sultan Ahmad Shah as the Ruler of the people of Pahang.

“It means that Sultan Ahmad Shah is the Pahang people’s ‘umbrella’, the one chosen by God to be our Ruler. He is known as a gen­erous Sultan and is always ready to serve the people. He always gives advice to us.

“In the Pahang develop­ment aspect, the Sultan will ensure that the development is carried out accordingly and continuously,” he said.

Daulat Tuanku Sultan Pahang

An exciting year ahead

Take in the beauty of Cherating Beach in Kuantan.

Mahouts bathing elephants at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre in Lancang in March this year. - Bernama

By Ong Han Sean

The Star/StarSpecial /Monday, 24 October 2016

NEXT year will be an eventful year for Pahang as the state plays host to tourists during the Visit Pahang Year 2017. Apart from promoting well-known tourist places such as Taman Negara, Genting Highlands, Cherating Beach, Pulau Tioman and Cameron Highlands, a myriad of activities has also been planned.

Some of the interesting events to look forward to are the Sultan Ahmad Shah Tioman International Eco Challenge, Kuantan Century Ride, Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge, Cherating Night Surfing, Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race and the Annual Kuantan Half Marathon.

During the launch of the promo­tional campaign earlier this year, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the Visit Pahang Year 2017 was timely and aimed to draw more visitors to the state.

“The last time we had a Visit Pahang campaign was in 1994. As it has been 22 years, we believe it is-time to be more aggressive in our efforts to promote Pahang,” Adnan said.

Adnan said that tourism was a subsector that should be given attention as it contributed immensely to the economy. Last year, Pahang received 10.5 million visitors with revenues reaching RM7bil and it is targeting the arrival of 15 million visitors with estimated spending of RM14bil next year. The campaign’s theme would be “Hogoh Pahang”, which roughly translates to “Pahang Rocks” in the local dialect.

“We want Hogoh Pahang to be a rallying cry to get the people of Pahang to come together to make this campaign a success. We aim to make 2017 an all-inclusive year to promote not just tourism but also the tourism but also to ensure the locals benefit from the campaign.

“We’re planning to enlist the participation of entrepreneurs in the campaign and possibly, create an extra source of income via the sale of campaign merchandise, including apparel and soft toys,” Adnan said.

State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the targeted demographic were domestic tourists and also those from neighbouring countries while the higher-end targets were those from Europe and Saudi Arabia.

He said there were 10 to 15 iconic destinations in the state that could be promoted, such as the Merapoh caves and the

 “Everyone I’ve met is excited to visit Pahang. Most importantly, the tourism operators, local governments and town councils have to be prepared to play host to our guests,” said Mohd Sharkar. 

Sultan Ahmad Shah

Three artists receive datukship inconjunction with Sultan of Pahang's birthday

By BERNAMA

Nst.com.my/Tuesday, 25 October 2016, 9:06 AM
Three artists were conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) award which carries the title ‘Datuk’ in conjunction with Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang’s birthday celebration at Istana Bakar here today. They were Executive President of KRU Group Norman Abdul Halim also known as Norman KRU, Pena Creative Pictures Sdn Bhd Managing Director Norzilah Abdul Jalil or Ziela Jalil and also the Managing Director of Tall Order Sdn Bhd, Gerald Hans Isaac or popularly known as Hans Isaac. The three of them were among 254 recipients of Pahang state awards and medals. The investiture was also graced by Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Abdullah. Norman, when met by reporters afterwards, said the award was recognition for him to do his work better for the development of the local creative industry. ”I will work harder towards unity, including producing films which will give impact to the society, not only for profit purposes,” he said. Meanwhile, Ziela Jalil said the award had given her encouragement to produce masterpieces for society and at the same time given her inspiration to continue her struggle in the local film and drama industry. For Hans Isaac, the datukship was his biggest achievement throughout his career in the local arts industry. “The award made me remember my late father who was the aide-de-camp of the Sultan of Pahang when he was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said. Earlier, Dewan Negara deputy president Senator Datuk Doris Sophia Ahmad Brodi had headed the list of 254 recipients of the state awards and medals. She was among 14 recipients of Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) award which carries the title “Datuk Seri.” Six individuals received the Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Ahmad Shah (DSAP) award which carries the title “Datuk” including Malaysian Ambassador to Kuwait Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani and Deloitte executive director Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib. A total of 85 individuals received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) award, which also carries the title Datuk, 22 people the Darjah Setia Ahmad Shah Pahang (SAP), Darjah Setia Mahkota Pahang (SMP) (33), Darjah Ahli Ahmad Shah Pahang (AAP) (18) while 52 people were awarded the Ahli Mahkota Pahang (AMP). Fourteen people received Pingat Khidmat Cemerlang (PKC), while Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT)and Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) saw six recipients each. --Bernama