BY LOONG MENG YEE
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah continues to keep the rakyat close to his heart by taking up issues without fear or favour. In conjunction with his 63rd birthday, the people of Selangor wish Tuanku many more blessed years ahead.
THIS year, there will only be one garden tea party in conjunction with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s birthday on Dec 11.
There will also not be any state dinner to celebrate the occasion. The decision came from the Istana and the state government was informed about it.
“At a time when Tuanku realises his subjects are tightening their belts, the decision speaks of Tuanku’s choice not to waste funds,” said Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim.
In past birthday celebrations, the garden tea party at the Istana Alam Shah in Klang were usually held twice on separate occasions.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (far right) presenting aid to Siamese twins Ahmad and Muhammad Rusli (in the wheelchair), who were separated in 2002. Also present is their father Ruslo Abdul Rahim (in pink). One was for invited guests and civil government officers, the other for members of the public. As for the state dinner, it was a grand and formal affair where the state executive council members, elected representatives and other invited guests dined with Tuanku at the palace.
Tuanku, added Teng, had also trimmed the programmes for the auspicious day down to three necessary events.
In the morning, Tuanku, as in past tradition, would pay a visit to the royal mausoleum, followed by the investiture ceremony and last, the tea party.
Tuanku’s acute empathy with his subjects has been demonstrated many times over, so much so that the Royal House of Selangor has become a much-respected institution representing fair play and justice to all races.
When the Tuanku speaks, the rakyat feels as if a load has been taken off their hearts because the royal words just seem to aptly articulate what needed to be said.
Post March 8, Tuanku told Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to govern the state well and make sure the public service went on smoothly.
When opening the 12th state legislative assembly in May, Sultan Sharafuddin also made it clear public funds must be properly accounted for.
Tuanku giving duit raya to an orphan. “Efforts to improve efficacy of the state will be meaningless if wastage or inappropriate spending goes on,” he said.
Indeed, Tuanku had, a few days after the assembly, ordered the Klang Royal Garden landscape consultant to do away with two arches, a minaret, watch tower, souvenir kiosk and decorative lights – effectively cutting RM7.5mil which Tuanku described as a waste of public funds.
Tuanku objected to the additions which pushed the 6.3ha public garden project to RM11mil.
“Tuanku is held in high esteem because Tuanku’s actions have been consistent all these years in reflecting concern for the rakyat.
“And Tuanku speaks in words easily understood by all with a lot of common sense – not expounding concerns by using theories or legalistic terms,” said Teng.
In his meetings with civil senior officers and politicians, Tuanku always wanted to be updated about current state development and issues.
“Tuanku had also asked me to monitor the traffic jam situation in Klang.
“Tuanku knows the situation is very frustrating for folks. In fact, he instructed the Orang Besar Daerah to chair special meetings to monitor the situation,” said Teng.
A central part of Klang is trapped in a disorderly traffic situation for the past few weeks resulting from traffic rerouting and ongoing construction works on a roundabout and a flyover along the Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim.
At the state assembly, Teng said a palace representative attends the sittings every day because Tuanku wanted to be updated about issues raised.
Even Tuanku’s brother, the Tengku Bendahara, would attend the assembly often, as the Tuanku would also like to know how the state assemblymen conduct themselves.
To keep the royal integrity, Tuanku had, over the years, limited the numbers of Datukship to be awarded on deserving individuals.
This year, with a new state government barely eight months old, Tuanku even froze the rewarding of Datukship upon politicians in conjunction with his birthday on Dec 11 – service came first, said Tuanku.
Although caring to his royal family members, Tuanku would not tolerate any misbehaviour and was known to constantly remind them to keep their conduct well, not abuse their status and provide service to the rakyat.
The Sultan, said Selangor Justices of Peace (JP) Council exco member Datuk Michael Chong, made it clear to the 400-odd JPs their titles came with the commitment to serve the rakyat.
Chong said Tuanku would occasionally meet council chairman Datuk Seri Mahamad Fathil Mahmood to be briefed about the work the JPs had done.
“I have the privilege to meet Tuanku personally on a few occasions. Tuanku knows very well what is happening in the state.
“As a person, Tuanku is warm, engaging and a gentleman.
“I remember once going to shake Tuanku’s hand as he was sitting, and he made the effort to stand.
“I quickly took Tuanku’s hand and insisted he remained seated. A man’s action speaks volume of the person he is,” said Chong.
Tuanku, he added, was extremely strict in insisting no state title holders abuse their awards for personal gain.
The Sultan also abhorred extremists who caused destruction to the state, once stating that he would not hesitate to ask the authorities take stern action against them.
As for race relations, Tuanku said the rights of the Malays were well protected and no one could take the rights away without consent from the Conference of Rulers.
To the non-Malays, Tuanku added they should not feel apprehensive because their rights were guaranteed under the Federal and state Constitutions.
Tuanku had constantly made it known that even though the people were of different races, customs and culture – they were all his beloved subjects and he was their Sultan.
The Royal House of Selangor – above politics, above race; but it is Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s conscious choice not to be above the rakyat.
Daulat Tuanku!
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