Tengku Abdullah Shah has replaced his father, Sultan Ahmad Shah as the ruler of Pahang state, the official Bernama news agency said, citing a senior palace official. Local reports said the move was designed to pave the way for Sultan Abdullah to be chosen as the next king of Malaysia by the Council of Rulers, who will chose a new king on January 24. Royal officials have not commented on the reported wedding, or said what condition prompted the former king to take the leave. Sultan Abdullah Shah, 59, is a popular figure in the sports scene and is currently president of the Asian Hockey Federation and a council member of football's world governing body, FIFA. Portraits of the king and queen adorn government buildings throughout the country.

Source: The Nation Bangkok January 12, 2019 09:45 UTC