A new life now beckons

The former Raja Permaisuri Agong dropped out of the public eye after the death of the beloved King in 2001. In an exclusive interview with The Star, her first with any media organisation since becoming a widow, Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah Abdul Rahman talks about her love for the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah and their fairy tale-like life together, her nephew who helped soothe her heart in some of her darkest moments, and the possibility of remarriage and having children of her own. Still beautiful and looking much younger than her 34 years, she spoke for more than two hours with WONG CHUN WAI, JOCELINE TAN and M. KRISHNAMOORTHY on a wide range of topics that brought out tears as well as laughter and the sparkle in her. 

YANG Amat Mulia Siti Aishah Abdul Rahman looked quite regal as she entered the central suite of Carcosa Seri Negara. 

All conversation came to a halt. 

Then she smiled her famous girlish smile and the atmosphere in the room returned to normal. 

Tuanku Siti Aishah: Her beauty lay in her smile which lit up her heart-shaped face

Since the death of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Sultan of Selangor in 2001, Yang Amat Mulia, then only 31, has dropped out of the public eye, keeping a low profile in the company of her parents, siblings and a few close friends. 

The last image that many Malaysians had of the former Queen was as a grieving widow during the state funeral, dressed in plain white cotton and clutching a handkerchief, her face devoid of make-up and her eyes puffy from crying. 

But she looked stunning on the day of this interview. 

Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah wore a head-turning fuchsia-coloured baju kebaya, embroidered with sparkly sequins and silver threads, and matching tudung.  

But her accessories were simple and unfussy – a dress watch, crystal bracelet on her left wrist, and rings of semi-precious stones on the ring fingers of both hands. 

Her pink leather shoes had practical looking heels. 

Her make-up was minimal, her peaches-and-cream complexion complemented by just the palest of lip gloss and touch of blusher to the cheeks.  

Her beauty lay in her smile which lit up her heart-shaped face. 

She was obviously not unaware of this physical asset of hers because, when asked about her beauty routine, she said it was simple: “Cleanse, tone and moisturise, and most of all, to smile, be sincere and have kind thoughts.” 

Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah turned 34 last November. 

She was only 19 when she married Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in 1990. 

Some have compared her life to a fairy tale come true. In reality, she had to make a huge adjustment from life as a simple, carefree girl, just out of college, to palace life as the consort of the Selangor Sultan. 

Besides, there was the age gap – he was 45 years older, born the same year as her grandmother, and their marriage was the talk of the country. 

She became the youngest Raja Permaisuri Agong at 29 when, in 1999, the late sovereign ascended the throne as the 11th King. 

Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah referred to the late King as “Almarhum” throughout the interview. 

In fact, she had to struggle hard to control her emotions when talking about him at the start of the interview. 

He was, as she pointed out, not only her spouse but a friend, father figure and mentor. 

Quite coincidentally, the large acrylic painting hanging on one of the walls showed the late Tuanku seated amid his fellow rulers at a ceremony to declare Kuala Lumpur the capital city.  

He was dressed in royal yellow and looked young, serious and oh, so handsome. 

The late King had been up to that very suite several times to view the painting and he had told the hotel staff that he had tears in his eyes when he signed away Selangor territory for the capital. 

He had also been frank and humorous enough to admit that he was not as good-looking as in the painting even back then. 

Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah was not without her own sense of humour. 

When asked how she made the adjustment from life in the palace to a more ordinary life, she said, “Well, here I am in Carcosa Seri Negara as the ex-Queen.” 

She dismissed with a slight frown rumours that she had remarried and moved abroad. 

“God knows the truth,” she said firmly. 

But she did not dismiss the possibility of falling in love, of marrying again and having children. 

“I hope and pray there will be (marriage proposals) one day,” she said with a firm nod of her head. 

Still, there were many moments during the interview when her girlish charm came through – in the way she tilted her head, her spontaneous smiles and her expressions. 

At these moments, she looked far younger than her 34 years. 

Caring for her nephew, the son of her younger sister Siti Suraya, helped her through some of the low ebbs after the King’s passing. The late sovereign had asked that the boy, now four, be named Abdul Aziz after him. 

There is no doubt that the former Queen finds her greatest strength from within her close-knit family.  

Her mother Datin Seri Shamshina A. Rahman sat through the interview, wiping away tears as Tuanku Siti Aishah made numerous references to her parents and siblings. 

Her father, retired Lt-Kol Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohd Yatim, looked quite stern and unsmiling although it was later revealed that he was the most accomplished cook in the family.  

Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah is learning to live life one day at a time. 

The young girl who married a King is now a poised, quietly confident and articulate young woman.  

She has lived an extraordinary life that was the envy of many.  

A new life now beckons. 

Fairytale story for girl from KL  THE former Raja Permaisuri Agung, Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah, was born on Nov 18, 1971.  She was brought up in Kuala Lumpur, received her early education at the Jalan Gurney Primary School and furthered her studies in banking at Mara Institute of Technology (now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara) in Kota Baru.  She married the Sultan of Selangor on May 3, 1990. He was elected the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 26, 1999, and passed away on Nov 21, 2001 after reigning over the country for two years and six months.  On June 20, 1994, she was conferred the Order of the Sarawak Government, the Datuk Amar, by the Yang di-Pertua Negri of Sarawak. Similarly, she was awarded the Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati (the Most Esteemed Royal Family Order) by the Selangor Sultan on March 8, 1996, in conjunction with his 70th birthday.  Yang Amat Mulia Siti Aishah was the patron of the UiTM Alumni, Selangor Women’s Association, Selangor Girl Guides, Jantung Hatiku Society and Girl Guides Association of Malaysia.  She now spends her free time reading, cooking and playing golf. She also likes collecting books and travelling.

 

Quotes 

The King and I 

He was my mentor. He introduced me to golf. He is no longer here for me but before he passed away, Almarhum told me to be strong and always have faith in God.  

He was very concerned for me, but thank God he knew that I have my parents and family to give me support.  

When Almarhum passed away, I was in a state of shock. Since his death I have been living one day at a time, a moment in time, leading a normal life.  

Seeing my Almarhum pass away, I have been reflecting on myself. I have been spending a lot of time with my family, being close to my mother, father and my siblings.  

Staying young and beautiful 

My beauty routine is to smile a lot. When you smile, you glow, and beauty comes from the heart. I should say the love and care from the people close to me made me look more youthful.  

Beauty regime? Normal toning, cleansing, moisturising.  

How do I stay fit? My nephews. Two boys – four and one-and-a-half years old. They’re quite a handful. 

Freedom and breaking rules 

I drive. That may not sound adventurous to some people but I consider it a freedom to drive on my own.  

FLASHBACK: The King and Siti Aishah trying out handphonesat the Motorola factory in Kelana Jaya in November, 2000.

I even ate at a hawker complex a few days ago. I had fun! I also attended a halal carnival recently. 

That’s being adventurous and spontaneous. 

I know I may be “breaking the rules” but I believe I am entitled to bend a few rules now and then. Breaking the rules is not like going against the law or something. 

Parents and family 

If I were to go out, I would have to be chaperoned. I know it’s a bit old fashioned but in Islam it is best to be chaperoned by family members.  

My parents have always been my mentors and will always be. I love them very dearly. They have instilled good values in me. My family keep my feet on the ground.  

Whenever I’m down, they are always there for me. 

Message of love 

All our lives we receive love, compassion, lessons, wisdom and knowledge from those around us. Giving back love is a way to share what we have received. 

When we give, we also receive. There is reciprocity.  

When the right man comes along 

You are still young, beautiful and incredibly charming. Have you thought of remarrying and having children of your own? 

Have I ever thought about it? I hope and pray I will marry again one day. It is a natural feeling for any woman to want to settle down and have children.  

Insya Allah, when the right man comes along. 

So you will seriously consider remarrying. 

Yes, with my parents blessings.