The former ruler of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar, passed away at 8.50am today at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur. He was 88.

The late Ahmad Shah served as the sultan from 1974 till Jan 15, 2019, when he abdicated due to ill health.

The sad news was announced by Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail through a media statement.

“With profound grief and sadness, I hereby announce the death of Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar on the morning of Wednesday, May 22, which is also the 17th day of Ramadan 1440 Hijrah."

“Hence, I call on all the people to pray for the soul of Paduka Ayahanda to be blessed by Allah and placed among the martyrs,” Wan Rosdy said.

The late Sultan Ahmad Shah served as the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong from April 1979 to April 1984.

Ahmad Shah is the father pf the current Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

A keen sportsperson, he served as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president from 1984 to 2014.

The late ruler had suffered from ill health for some time.

The state constitution was amended allowing the Pahang royal council to sanction his abdication earlier this year.

Pahang state secretary Sallehuddin Ishak is scheduled to hold a special press conference on the matter at 11.30am at Wisma Sri Pahang in Kuantan.