Queen with a common touch

THE Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Haminah Hamidun, is the right fit for a Queen as she is soft-spoken and graceful.

The 59-year-old Queen is also passionate about the welfare of her subjects and always spares the time to partake in many charitable activities and lend a helping hand to organisations in need.

If she is not accompanying Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah in the course of the Ruler's duties, Tuanku Haminah often takes it upon herself to attend charitable events.

And there have been many occasions when she has also accompanied Tuanku Abdul Halim on his own charitable rounds.

Tuanku Haminah's deep humanitarian concern was evident when she accompanied Tuanku Abdul Halim to comfort evacuees at the relief centres during the floods that swept Kedah in November 2010.

The Queen also makes constant visits to hospitals and orphanages bringing along aid and goodies, putting an instant smile on the faces of the people.

During a recent visit to the Asrama Datul Aitam Walmasakin in Alor Setar, Tuanku Haminah had words of comfort and advice for the underpriviledged children.

She encouraged them to be strong and never give up the hope of pursuing a better future for themselves.

Tuanku Haminah shares the same passion as Tuanku Abdul Halim in golf and through the sport, is involved in many charity tournaments.

Among the tournaments she has participated in are the Merbok Parliament Charity Golf Tournament in Sungai Petani and a tournament between the Sultanah Kedah team and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Tuanku Haminah is also known to have initiated several tournaments for amateur golfers, such as the Kedah International Red Tee Invitation held in Langkawi last year which attracted more than 50 participants from countries in the region.

Tuanku Haminah was born on July 15, 1953 in Bagan Serai, Perak, to Hamidun Taib and Isma Mohamad. She is the fourth child among seven siblings.

The Queen attended her early education at SK Matang Jelutung before furthering her studies at the Bagan Serai English Secondary School.

She married Tuanku Abdul Halim on Dec 25, 1975, at the age of 22.

Tuanku Haminah carried the title Che Puan Kedah before she was proclaimed as Sultanah of Kedah on Jan 9, 2004, following the death of Almarhum Sultanah Bahiyah Tuanku Abdul Rahman on Aug 26, 2003.