Pahang people happy to have "Tengku Ampuan" after 31 years

PEKAN, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The proclamation of Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar as the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang today witnessed the use of the title again after almost 31 years.

The title was last held by Tengku Hajah Afzan Tengku Muhammad, the consort of the fifth Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, who died on June 29, 1988.

It is reserved for the consort of the reigning ruler or sultan, who is of royal blood as provided for in the Pahang State Constitution.

Chairman of Pekan Women’s Association (WI), Datuk Melati Ali, when met by Bernama, said it had been for some time that the people of Pahang did not have a queen with the Tengku  Ampuan Pahang title.

“The proclamation of Tunku Azizah brings back the use of the title, making her the fifth  person to be bestowed with the title,” she added.

She said it was apt for title to be bestowed on Tunku Azizah, who is a Johor princess, because of her noble personality and a royalty whois close and friendly with the people.

"We see her on the ground, when the people are struck by disaster. Her concern  touches the people’s heart. She also likes to cook and whenever invited to do so, she will never turn you down and will share her special recipes,” she added.

Tunku Azizah, who was born on Aug 5, 1960 at Istana Bukit Stulang Johor Bahru, Johor, is fifth Tengku Ampuan in the modern era of the Pahang Sultanate.

A Pekan resident, Jeriah Abdul Rahman, 68, said the people of Pahang are indeed very happy to have a new Tengku Ampuan Pahang.

"Prior to this, we have a Sultanah (specially created for Sultanah Kalsom and it is not provided for in Pahang State Constitution), but now the title of Tengku Ampuan Pahang is used again.

"As the people of Pahang, we hope the prosperity and harmony in the state will continue under the reignn of of the Sultan of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang who are close to the people’s heart. Their casual attitude and not letting their royal blood be the wall between them and the people, makes them highly respected and looked up to,” she added.

She said Tunku Azizah  was also responsible for popularising the Pahang Tenun weaved fabric.

“Before the Pahang Tenun fabric is just a piece of cloth, now it has gone international and sought by fashion designers,” she added.

Another resident of the royal town, Noresah Muhamad, 73, said Tunku Azizah had the attributes of the late Tengku Ampuan Afzan.

She is kind and firnedly with the people, she added.

-- BERNAMA