Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin cuddling a stray cat during the Selangor SPCA World Animal Day 2025 celebration in Ampang Jaya in October. — Photos from Selangor Royal Office Facebook page
TENGKU Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin is highly regarded by animal activists and rescuers for consistently championing the humane treatment of street animals.
In 2023, the Tengku Permaisuri directed the relevant authorities, including municipal councils, to upgrade and improve the management of the animal pounds within their jurisdictions.
This followed the circulation of viral photos showing dogs in dire condition at a Selangor municipal council dog pound.
Her Royal Highness noted that if existing standard operating procedures were truly effective, such videos depicting dogs being mistreated, neglected or poorly managed would not exist.
Her remarks were conveyed through the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page.
Sharing a joyful moment with children during the launch of Yayasan Insan Istimewa Selangor (Yanis) in Shah Alam in August.— Photos from Selangor Royal Office Facebook page
Not long ago, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also took the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to task over its proposed three-day stray dog round-up plan.
Expressing sadness over the proposal, the Tengku Permaisuri stressed that there are more humane and effective ways to manage stray animal populations, including neutering.
“I have repeatedly stressed that I strongly disagree with the catch-and-destroy method carried out by any local authority, including MBSA,” she said.
Her Royal Highness added that alongside an extensive neutering programme, local councils should consider establishing stray animal shelters in every housing area, supported by animal lovers within the community.
“Local councils must make it compulsory for housing developers to construct such shelters,” Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said.
Congratulating UiTM graduates during the 102nd convocation ceremony in Shah Alam in September. — Photos from Selangor Royal Office Facebook page
The Tengku Permaisuri Selangor also called on authorities to re-examine the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s circular on SOPs for capturing and culling stray dogs to better reflect current needs.
As an animal lover, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has established a mini cat sanctuary, aptly named Casa De Cat, in Shah Alam to house rescued street cats.
Unfortunately, much to the frustration of animal rescuers and activists, many local councils appear to have paid little heed to Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s calls for humane treatment of street animals and continue to resort to cruel methods under the guise of stray population management.
Beyond her advocacy for animal welfare, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin – who is also Universiti Teknologi Mara’s pro-chancellor – is a strong proponent of effective and high-quality teaching.
During one of the university’s convocation ceremonies, Her Royal Highness emphasised the need to enhance teaching and learning at the tertiary level to ensure both staff and students have adequate expertise and access to the latest learning tools.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin’s community engagements in 2025 included October’s Pink Ribbon Run 2025 in Putrajaya with Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad to promote breast cancer awareness.— Photos from Selangor Royal Office Facebook page
“Universities also need to introduce preparation programmes so that students can compete globally.
“This includes programmes incorporating aspects of language, culture and technical expertise,” Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said in her royal address.
Her Royal Highness further highlighted the importance of mastering “sharp skills”, including the ability to analyse data using the applications widely available across various media platforms.
During a 2022 convocation ceremony, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also reminded graduates that as intellectuals, they have a responsibility to safeguard Malaysia’s sovereignty and prevent the nation from falling into chaos.
“One way is for us Malaysians to remain united.
The 19th Petaling Jaya City Anniversary Celebration in June, where Her Royal Highness tried her hand at making eco bricks from single-use plastics to promote sustainability. — Photos from Selangor Royal Office Facebook page
“If we are not united, we will not be able to defend our country from the various threats posed by those who wish to see it collapse,” the Tengku Permaisuri said.
Born Norashikin Abdul Rahman on June 4, 1971, at the military hospital in Terendak Camp, Malacca, the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor is a former Malaysian Airlines flight attendant.
Her Royal Highness then joined RTM over decades ago as a newsreader before becoming Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s consort.
During her tenure as a newscaster, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin won the Seri Angkasa Award’s Best TV News Presenter title in 2001 and 2005.
The 2025 Selangor Branch Malaysian Girl Guides Association Awards Ceremony in Shah Alam in April. — Photos from Selangor Royal Office Facebook page
In 2017, Universiti Putra Malaysia named a newly discovered species of orchid Vanilla Norashikiniana after Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin were married on Aug 31, 2016, at Istana Alam Shah in Klang.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin was appointed as the Tengku Permaisuri Selangor by Sultan Sharafuddin the following month.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has a daughter and a son from a previous marriage.
