THE Selangor Ruler’s Diamond Jubilee takes place on December 11, where His Royal Highness marks his 75th birthday.
The date has been fixed as the official royal birthday and is declared a public holiday for Selangor.
This year, being like no other in its complexity and gravity, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj will be marking the day by keeping the rakyat close to his heart.
His Royal Highness has been closely following the developments relating to Covid-19, tirelessly reminding the people to adhere to the standard operating procedure in order to keep infections at bay. His Royal Highness has also warned about the dangers of an upsurge in cases.
It was the Ruler’s concern for the people that led him to remind the state’s local authorities and police to be more strict in monitoring for adherence to the rules of the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
His Royal Highness lauded the achievements of the frontline workers, particularly those at the Sungai Buloh Hospital, for showing a high level of dedication and commitment in their service to the nation.
In a recent message in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul 1442 Hijrah celebration, Sultan Sharafudin called for politicians to unite and support the government’s efforts and find the best solution to ensure that the people continue to live in peace and harmony.
Following a series of water cuts across the Klang Valley, the Selangor Ruler also voiced his concern over the frequent incidents of river pollution. Since October 8, he has been calling for both the Federal and the Selangor governments to not politicise the water issue and for it to be resolved immediately.
On November 8, Sultan Sharafuddin granted an audience to Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and decreed that penalties against offenders found guilty of water pollution should include mandatory imprisonment and a maximum fine.
Apart from that, Sultan Sharafuddin has also been observing the political developments in the country.
In his royal address at the opening of the first meeting of the third term of the 14th State Legislative Assembly sitting recently, His Royal Highness called for Selangor’s leaders to focus on ensuring a better livelihood for the people.
The Ruler also touched on the issue of corruption in the public service and said such immoral acts will tarnish the reputation and image of the government and the local authorities involved. The attentiveness shown by Sultan Sharafuddin on such matters is not unusual.
His Royal Highness has a reputation for being well-learned, with a love for books and reading, and has vast knowledge of many subjects. This has been reflected in his leadership throughout his 19-year reign as Sultan.
The Selangor Ruler is also known as a working monarch. At the young age of 23, he experienced what it was like working as a civil servant in the Selangor state secretariat as well as the Kuala Lumpur District Office. He also served with the Police Department in the nation’s capital following his return from England in 1968 upon completing his studies.
His Royal Highness was sent abroad for his education, attending the Hale School in Perth, Australia, from 1960, and later Langhurt College in Surrey, United Kingdom, from 1964. He received his primary education at the Malay Primary School in Kuala Lumpur at the age of nine and had attended St. John’s Institution from 1954 until 1959.
A life of adventure
One of the most outstanding facts about the Selangor Ruler is that he is a seeker of challenges. He has achieved sporting success tasted by few, from scaling Mt Kinabalu at the age of 30, to circumnavigating the world in his yacht, the SY Jugra, in 1995. The voyage took 22 months, winning His Royal Highness a place in the Malaysian Book of Records.
His long-time love for vintage cars has also brought him to many places across the globe. In 1997, he took part in a long-distance car rally called the ‘Peking to Paris Motor Challenge’ in his 1932 Ford Model B, covering 16,000 kilometres through 15 countries in 43 days. His Royal Highness bagged the silver medal prize in the vintage car category.
Ten years later, after he was installed as the Sultan of Selangor, he ventured out again, this time behind the wheel of his 1940 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe, in the second ‘Peking to Paris Motor Challenge’. However, after driving through Mongolia and Russia for 35 days, the Sultan had to turn back to see to some work as the state monarch.
Sultan Sharafuddin was born on December 24, 1945, at the Istana Jema’ah, Klang, when his late father, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, was the Selangor Crown Prince.
The Ruler, who was named Tengku Idris Shah at birth, became the Raja Muda of Selangor at the age of 15 in 1960 when his father was installed as the Sultan of Selangor.
His Royal Highness ascended the throne in 2001 after the demise of Sultan Salahuddin.
On his 75th birthday, may His Royal Highness’ reputation as an honourable, responsible and attentive ruler live on.
The people of Selangor wish Sultan Sharafuddin good health and many more blessed years ahead, and may the state continue to prosper under his reign.
Daulat Tuanku!
This article first appeared in the Selangor Journal monthly December edition, published on December 7, 2020.
