PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has sent a letter to the Cabinet, reminding them that their duty first and foremost is to serve the nation and its people.

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah penned his last decree to the ministers, stating that they should not think of position, personal interest and possessions while in power, said government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi, who was also Communications Minister said the letter was passed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a pre-Cabinet audience with the King on Tuesday (Jan 23), the last of such a meeting during his reign.

"The Yang di-Pertuan has consented to send a letter to us which the Prime Minister read out at the start of the Cabinet meeting," he said.

Al-Sultan Abdullah, said Fahmi, had also expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister, former prime ministers and ministers who had served during his five-year tenure as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

His Majesty’s term as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong ends on Jan 30, after which he returns to Pahang to resume his duties as the Sultan of Pahang.

The role is currently being handled by Sultan Abdullah’s eldest son and heir to the Pahang throne Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Since becoming the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah has attended 160 pre-Cabinet meetings with four different prime ministers: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Anwar.

The first pre-Cabinet meeting that His Majesty attended was on Feb 13, 2019.