Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah (Jawi:zالمرحوم سلطان حاج احمد شاه المستعين بالله ابن المرحوم سلطان ابو بكر رعاية الدين المعظم شاه;z 24 October 1930 – 22 May 2019) was the fifth and former modern Sultan of Pahang, and also served as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from 26 April 1979 to 25 April 1984.

His abdication as Sultan was decided by the Royal Council at an extraordinary meeting on 11 January 2019. A special amendment was passed on the state constitution that gave the body more power for this decision, citing the Sultan's incapability to rule due to his failing health. The abdication came into effect on the midnight of 15 January, paving the way to his son, Abdullah to succeed him as Sultan the following day, and subsequently be elected as the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong later the same month.

Biography

Born on at 12:00 am. Friday 24 October 1930 at Istana Mangga Tunggal, Pekan, Pahang. he was the only son of Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-Mu’tassim Billah Shah (reigned 1932–1974) by his official and royal consort, Tengku Ampuan Besar Raja Fatimah binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah, a princess of Perak royal family.

A student of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, he received diplomas in public administration from Worcester College, Oxford and the University of Exeter. He succeeded his father as sultan in 1974.

His election as the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1979 was marked with controversy as he was said to be at odds with the incoming prime minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. However, the rumours proved to be untrue and he proved to be a keen admirer of the prime minister. Twenty-two years earlier, his father Abu Bakar had failed five times to be elected as the first Agong.

A controversial, headstrong personality, he has often forced his chief ministers in Pahang to resign over minor differences.

His favourite hobby was playing football, golf, polo, and equestrian.

Sultan Ahmad Shah is a keen sportsman and was the President of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) from 1984 until 2014,[5] the President of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) until 2002 and Asean Football Federation(AFF) 2011.

His official and royal consort, Tengku Ampuan Afzan binti Tengku Panglima Perang Muhammad, a member of the Terengganu royal family, served as his Raja Permaisuri Agong but died of cancer on her return to Pahang on 29 June 1988. Sultan Ahmad Shah's second wife Kalsom binti Abdullah (nee Anita), was designated as the Sultanah of Pahang in 1991.

Titles and styles

• 24 October 1930 – 23 June 1932: His Highness (Yang Amat Mulia) Tengku Ahmad ibni Tengku Abu Bakar
• 23 June 1932 – 25 May 1944: His Highness (Yang Amat Mulia) Tengku Ahmad ibni Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'azzam Shah
• 25 May 1944 – 8 May 1974: His Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Teramat Mulia) Tengku Mahkota Ahmad ibni Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'azzam Shah, The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang
• 8 May 1974 – 26 April 1979: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah, The Sultan of Pahang
• 26 April 1979 – 25 April 1984: His Majesty (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda)Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong VII
• 25 April 1984 – 15 January 2019: His Royal Highness (Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah, The Sultan of Pahang
• 15 January 2019 – 22 May 2019: His Royal Highness (Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah, The Paduka Ayahanda Sultan of Pahang
• 22 May 2019 – Present: His Royal Highness (Duli Yang Maha Mulia) Paduka Ayahanda Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’azzam Shah, The Paduka Ayahanda Sultan of Pahang.