Artistes pay tribute to the late Sultan Ahmad Shah

The death of the late Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar is expected to have a profound effect on local artistes, especially those who had personal contact with him.

Actor Shah Rezza said Sultan Ahmad Shah used to help out with contributions whenever he heard of an artiste in dire straits.

“He would often advise us to maintain a good name, and I myself have made it my practice,” he told reporters after paying his last respects at the Balairung Seri Istana Abu Bakar in Pekan today.

Sultan Ahmad Shah, the fifth Sultan of Pahang, died at the age of 88 at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at 8.50am yesterday. He was laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum in Pekan after Zohor prayers today.

Shah Rezza said he managed to visit Sultan Ahmad Shah at the IJN during his last days, even on the night before his death.

“I arrived at 11pm and read the Surah Yasin by his side, and only left at 8am. Just as I arrived home, I received news of his death. I was shocked as I realised that it was my last meeting with him,” he said.

Meanwhile, popular singer Jamal Abdillah revealed that the lyrics of the song 'Simfoni Sepi' were written by Sultan Ahmad Shah in memory of his wife Tengku Afzan Tengku Muhammad, who died in 1988.

He said he was touched when the ruler accepted his invitation to attend ‘Konsert 3 Suara’ in 2016 despite his poor health.

Jamal said his invitation was his birthday gift to the sultan, and he made a trip to IJN to send it in person.

“Since the 1980s up till two years ago, the sultan often invited me to give a show during his birthday celebrations, and I already knew the songs he liked.

“Besides 'Simfoni Sepi', his other favourite song was P Ramlee’s ‘Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti,” he said.