Investiture ceremony: Sultan Sharafuddin, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah arriving at Balairung Seri at Istana Alam Shah in Klang. — KK SHAM/The Star
KLANG: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah headed the list of 97 recipients of state honours in conjunction with the 78th birthday of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Tunku Azizah was bestowed the Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati (DK) yesterday.
Selangor Royal Council member Tengku Datuk Setia Putra Alhaj Tengku Azman Shah Alhaj received the Darjah Kerabat Selangor Yang Amat Dihormati (Second Class) (DK II).
It is believed that another ceremony will be held soon for the Queen to accept the award from Sultan Sharafuddin.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the Sultan of Selangor on His birthday.
At yesterday’s investiture ceremony, several notable corporate figures received top awards, including YTL Power International managing director Datuk Yeoh Seok Hong who received the SPMS which carries the title Datuk Seri.
Berjaya Land Bhd deputy chairman Datuk Seri Robin Tan Yeong Ching, United Plantation’s Datuk Carl Bek-Nielsen and Royal Selangor International Sdn Bhd managing director Yong Yoon Li received the DPMS which comes with the title Datuk.
Recognition for the media: Esther Ng receiving the DSIS award from Sultan Sharafuddin.
Sekinchan assemblyman and former Selangor legislative assembly speaker Ng Suee Lim was the only politician on the list and is now a Datuk after receiving the DPMS.
Speaking to the media, he said the award has inspired him to work harder for his constituents as well as the people of Selangor.
Ng, who is state executive councillor in charge of local government, tourism and new village development, said he had taken heed of Sultan Sharafuddin’s advice on the need to boost the state’s tourism industry.
“I will do what is necessary to upgrade the tourism industry such as that related to handicraft. In Selangor, we have a rich heritage but we are not highlighting it,’’ he said.
He also vowed to improve municipal council and city hall services.
Star Media Group Bhd chief content officer Esther Ng Sek Yee and SP Setia senior independent non-executive director Philip Tan Puay Koon were among the 13 people who received the DSIS which confers the title Datuk for men and Datin Paduka for women.
Two athletes – Selangor Sports Council rhythmic gymnastics coach Shak Yuki and women’s doubles national badminton player Thinaah Muralitharan – received the BKS medals from Sultan Sharafuddin.
Thinaah said she was excited to receive the BKS as it is her first state award.
“I have received incentives and many other things, but this is the very first time I am receiving a medal from a Sultan at an investiture ceremony,’’ she said.
Yuki agreed that the medal is indeed an honour.
“I feel very motivated to be selected to receive the BKS, more so that I now have my own academy to groom and train future gymnasts to represent the nation,’’ she said.
Yuki opened the academy, Yujin Studio in Sentral Mall, Cheras, after the SEA Games last year to promote and train young girls in rhythmic gymnastics.
In his birthday message to the Sultan of Selangor, Anwar prayed that Sultan Sharafuddin, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and the entire Royal Family would be blessed with God’s guidance and reign in good health, prosperity and sovereignty.
“The people and I will continue to pledge our undivided obedience and loyalty. Dirgahayu Tuanku,” he said, according to Bernama.
