Greetings. The following writing was translated using Google and editted a bit from the article Bersama Sultan, Tengku Ampuan dan Tengku Mahkota Pahang di ISTAC posted in the Malay blogspot CATATAN SI MERAH SILU over an hour ago.
Yesterday, two articles were shared, each of which was actually written and presented at ISTAC (International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation) in Bukit Tunku, namely Langkah 131 bagi tahun 2026 followed by Barat dan 'selebihnya' - Satu kritikan ketamadunan. This morning, Thursday, January 15, 2026, went to ISTAC again, this time bringing the wife.
There is a Meet & Greet Session with the Tunku Ampuan (Queen) of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj. It was held specifically for ISTAC students as she herself is a student after enrolling near end of 2024.
Actually Tunku Azizah is also the Chancellor of IIUM (International Islamic University Malaysia), the body that oversees ISTAC. Here she was seen chatting about her thesis on Hukum Kanun Pahang (the Pahang Code of Laws) with her thesis supervisor, Professor Dato' Ahmad Murad Merican, and a number of attendees.
Upon catching sight of me she immediately said, this person (while pointing at me) talks about the Pangkor Agreement. I (meaning her) am talking about the Pahang Code of Laws. Then I asked: "How did Your Majesty know about my efforts?". I thought maybe because she watched video of my presentation at ISTAC held nearly a month ago. See Akhirnya - "Perjanjian Pangkor Setelah 151 Tahun" dilaksanakan di ISTAC. Even though we both studied at this famous institution, we have only met 2-3 times on campus. Her Majesty's answer : "I saw on Tiktok." Ha ha... :]
Passing by the VIP waiting room, saw my teacher, the Rector of IIUM, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, sitting alone. Went in to greet and kiss his hand. You see, apart from being my Master's thesis supervisor, now PhD supervisor, he is also my teacher in Sufism. Indeed, every time we meet, I will kiss his hand. The same goes for when I am about to leave. My wife asked permission to take a picture of me with him.
Enter the main hall. Actually, the event is upgraded because the Sultan (King) of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah himself was willing to come. He even wanted to bring his children, after being invited by the wife.
Tunku Azizah arrived as early as 11 am, while according to the original schedule it should be 11.30 am. Her Majesty then waited for the Sultan to arrive, while having casual chat with the Dean of ISTAC, Professor Dr. Hazizan Md. Noon, and some academics.
Suddenly she turned to me and asked for the name of the tanjak (Malay traditional headgear) I was wearing. Which (Malay) state did it originated from? I answered as best as I could remember "Gajah Melaung". Can't remember where it came from but probably Perak. That's what I remembered from the maker, the famous tanjak author Johan Iskandar who is a cousin, from the family of the Laksamana Raja Mahkota of Perak.
Not long after, the Sultan arrived and the ceremony began.
My teacher is seated on a par with the Sultan and Tengku Ampuan. Even though they could have ordered special seats for the monarch and queen.
Tunku Azizah gave a few words. A lot of words actually, hehe...
Generally speaking, it is about her passion for studying and upholding the Pahang Code of Laws. She expressed appreciation to husband for supporting, and children for giving encouragement. Her Majesty said in English (because a number of students and lecturers aren't locals) that the children reminded her to study until completed. Don't cheat. A very good reminder indeed. This is because there are people out there who cheat to get a Master's degree and PhD. Because they have money and rank, they can hire or direct people to do research and even write a thesis until finished!
Came the Sultan's turn to give words. He did mainly in Malay. The following is translated from Kesultanan Pahang (Pahang Sultanate's) Facebook.
"For the past few months, Tengku Ampuan Pahang often shares about the Pahang Code of Laws. This has opened my mind to understand more deeply about its existence, which has not been so much highlighted or studied. It is a new field that deserves to be explored.
"God willing, after Tengku Ampuan Pahang completes her studies, I plan to gather intellectuals and religious scholars to discuss how this Code of Law can be used as a policy or practice for the Pahang State Government.
"We should not be too obsessed with the constitutional framework formed by foreign powers in the past, but instead be open to receiving new views and advice based on the outline of syariah and good practices, for the sake of continuous improvement," said His Majesty.
Proceeding to the dining hall.
Tunku Ampuan managed to show the Sultan to me and mentioned the Pangkor Agreement again.
Lively atmosphere in the dining hall...
Oh. His Majesty the Sultan and his family entered later. I thought they have entered earlier.
The Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, seen wearing an orange batik shirt.
Me and wife sat close to the VVIP table and were able to see the Sultan and his family clearly. From the Pahang Sultanate Facebook, we learned that the children (apart from the Crown Prince) also present were:-
1. Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah
2. Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu'adzam Shah
3. Tengku Puteri Ilisha Ameera
4. Tengku Puteri Ilyana Alia
5. Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafidzatullah
Can't remember how this happened. Suddenly the Sultan was at the end of my table and a conversation ensued. I explained why I was interested in the Pangkor Agreement. This was because my ancestor, Laksamana Raja Mahkota Muhammad Amin, was one of the signatories. The Sultan Abdullah (of Perak) involved in the treaty was a nephew. I told him about the significant differences between the original Malay-Jawi agreement that they understood and agreed to and the English version whose translation into Malay is still widely read and seen as the absolute truth. Most importantly, according to the English version, the Sultan must seek and IMPLEMENT the Resident's advice. In the original Malay-Jawi version, there was no obligation to implement.
Before leaving, His Majesty asked "Is that the Sultan Abdullah who was exiled to the Seychelles Island?" When I answered yes, His Majesty said "I know" with a smile and then left. Ah. Forgot. His Majesty himself is called Sultan Abdullah.
Afterwards there was a cake cutting ceremony. Apparently it was in conjunction with Tengku Ampuan's 7th year as Chancellor of UIA. In fact, that was the same period that Sultan Abdullah began to hold the throne of Pahang.
After a while, the Crown Prince also came near and asked about my tanjak. He also looked at my keris (traditional Malay blade). I showed him that it was already tied (so that one could not draw out the blade... I rarely tie it, this time I felt like it). The Crown Prince told: "I looked just now and saw. The untied keris can only be worn by monarchs. For others it has to be tied (signalling submission to monarchs). But if we go to war, we can wear it untied (as to be able to draw for combat)". I answered: "Insyaallah (God willing)".
The wife took the opportunity to take a picture with the Tengku Ampuan.
I then asked permission to take a picture with His Majesty the Sultan. While doing so, I told him that Osman was my PhD supervisor. He asked what the title was. I replied "Anomalies in Time" (not the full title). After picture was taken, His Majesty gave me the encouraging words "Good Luck".
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