Caring royal with a love for animals

Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin were married at Istana Alam Shah in Klang on Aug 30, 2016. — Pic courtesy of Selangor Royal Office Facebook

TENGKU Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, just like her husband Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, is a working royal. She is always attentive and rises to the occasion when her help or intervention is required.

For instance, when Foodpanda delivery person Nur Athirah Abdul Latiff’s motorbike was stolen while she was waiting to pick up a delivery order, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin stepped in to help.

She bought Nur Athirah a new motorbike to replace the one that was stolen so that the young woman could continue earning a living.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin at the launch of a book about her journey in the palace in December 2019. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

One of Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s current projects is reviving the telepuk textile design in order to prevent it from becoming extinct.

Telepuk comprises a stamping design made of gold dust on fabric and is synonymous with Selangor royalty.

Unfortunately, according to Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (Padat) curator Intan Salina Idrus, the art of the telepuk design nearly died out with the passing of the artisans who used to make it for the Selangor royal court.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin donning an attire bearing the telepuk design, which she is working to revive from near extinction. Telepuk comprises a stamping design made of gold dust on fabric and is synonymous with Selangor royalty. — Pix courtesy of Selangor Royal Office Facebook

“The Tengku Permaisuri asked us about the telepuk and we explained the situation to her. The Tengku Permaisuri then requested that the tradition be revived,’’ said Intan Salina.

She added that Padat was currently training a male apprentice who had shown interest in becoming a telepuk artisan.

According to a paper published by academics from Universiti Teknologi MARA not long ago, the telepuk textile was in use in the state from the reign of its first Ruler, Sultan Sallehuddin Shah (1745-1778).

Being an animal lover, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has also voiced her disapproval when animals are treated cruelly by local council dog catching units.

On one occasion, she expressed her disappointment and sadness over the way Subang Jaya Municipal Council staff had handled dogs during a dog-catching exercise.

“I urge the authorities to be more sensitive and humane in dealing with cases involving abandoned animals on the streets,” the Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin had said in a statement posted on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page.

As an animal lover, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin regularly advocates for humane and compassionate treatment of animals, especially abandoned ones. — Selangor Royal Office/NOR AFIFI EHSAN/The Star

Unfortunately, the local councils in Selangor continue mishandling dogs in dog catching exercises in spite of the royal rebuke.

Perhaps the executive councillor in charge of local government, Ng Sze Han, should heed Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s concern and raise the matter with the municipal and district councils as well as city halls in Selangor.

The always stylish and elegant Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also has an orchid named after her – the vanilla norashikiniana – at the orchid conservatory in Frasers Hill.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Sultan Sharafuddin were married at Istana Alam Shah in Klang on Aug 31, 2016, and she was proclaimed the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor effective Sept 8 that same year.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin was previously an air stewardess before becoming an award-winning newscaster with RTM.

She has two grown-up children, Nur Amanda and Adam Salleh, from a previous marriage.