Kuantan: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, today urged the public to stop racing on public roads before tragedy strikes, saying illegal street racing remains rampant and continues to endanger road users. His Royal Highness emphasized the importance of returning home safely to one's family and warned against treating public roads as platforms for testing bravery.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed his sadness over the tendency of some youths to seek fame on public roads, interpreting the roar of engines as a symbol of bravery and taking pride in illegal street racing. The Sultan lamented the glorification of this perilous culture on social media, noting that while dangerous stunts may garner praise and attention, they ultimately lead to parents' tears, endless regret, and lonely graves.
Al-Sultan Abdullah made these remarks during the investiture ceremony for state honors, awards, and medals held in conjunction with His Royal Highness' 67th birthday celebration at Istana Abdulaziz. The event was attended by the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, and the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
In addition to addressing the issue of illegal street racing, Al-Sultan Abdullah highlighted concerns regarding the increasing presence of foreign nationals, including Rohingya refugees. He instructed authorities to take decisive action against illegal settlements, particularly those on government land, and urged the federal government to strengthen border controls, tighten the entry process for foreign nationals, expedite the repatriation of illegal immigrants, and take firm action against those involved.
The Sultan underscored the importance of addressing the issue at the country's entry points, especially in maritime areas, to prevent the establishment of illegal settlements. He stated that curbing the problem at the border is more effective than dealing with the complexities that arise once these settlements are established.