SELANGOR Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, like all heirs to thrones, grew up well prepared to eventually assume the stewardship of the state.
The Sultan, who was proclaimed the Raja Muda of Selangor in 1960 at the age of 15, became the state Ruler on Nov 22, 2001, following the demise of his father, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.
Becoming the ninth Sultan of one of Malaysia’s most progressive and developed states was a major challenge but friends say Sultan Sharafuddin, who relished a challenge, took it in his stride.
“Tuanku was fully prepared for the role when the time came, having been the Crown Prince for many years.
“Tuanku was also driven by a sense of duty to the sultanate as well as the people, state and nation,” said Datuk Richard Curtis, one of Sultan Sharafuddin’s close friends.
Curtis added that being the Ruler of Selangor was a “complicated job”, but Sultan Sharafuddin had gained the necessary knowledge and experience long before ascending the throne.
After becoming the Ruler of Selangor, Tuanku adapted well to the role, demonstrating his ability to lead the state as its Sultan.
“Upon completing his studies, His Royal Highness returned to Selangor to work in the state government and gain an understanding of how the Selangor government machinery functioned.
“Tuanku remained closely engaged with his late father, Sultan Salahuddin, as well as members at all levels of the state government.
‘Tuanku actively voiced his concerns to gain a better understanding of the issues facing the state during his tenure as Raja Muda.”
Curtis described Sultan Sharafuddin as a well-read and well-travelled individual who was knowledgeable about the world around him.
According to Curtis, Sultan Sharafuddin cared deeply for all his people regardless of race, and had a clear, steadfast vision for them that His Royal Highness was not afraid to voice and highlight.
“Tuanku envisions Selangor as a highly regarded multi-ethnic and multi-racial society where no one is left behind, and where everyone lives together in peace and harmony, guided by the tenets of the Rukun Negara,” added Curtis.
He said Sultan Sharafuddin views the state’s political and civil service leadership in the same light, emphasising that it must transcend religious, racial, political and cultural divisions, while also ensuring that Selangor’s legitimate rights are duly protected under Malaysian law.
“For Tuanku, the state’s leadership has to be people- centric and deliver on its promises with integrity and transparency, while ensuring that development respects the environment,” said Curtis.
He added that Sultan Sharafuddin had also constantly emphasised the importance of preserving a high quality of life for the state’s people.
Sultan Sharafuddin’s close friend of 60 years, Tan Sri Razman Hashim, said the Ruler often worries about things not working out or happening as expected.
“Tuanku has always been concerned about whether politicians are doing their jobs well, particularly in addressing issues such as poverty and flooding in Selangor,” Razman said.
“I respect him for that as Tuanku is a Ruler who does not merely think about himself and his personal interests, but is deeply concerned about his people.”
Razman also shared that Sultan Sharafuddin is fiercely independent and takes a practical approach to protocol in his capacity as the state Ruler.
“Tuanku used to always drive himself around until recently, due to his age,” said Razman.
Sultan Sharafuddin was born on Dec 24, 1945, at Istana Jemaah in Klang and named Tengku Idris Shah, the son of the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, then the Raja Muda, and his first wife, Raja Saidatul Ihsan Tengku Badar Shah.
Sultan Sharafuddin became the Raja Muda of Selangor at the age of 15 in 1960, when his father ascended the throne, and succeeded him as the Ruler in 2001 upon Sultan Salahuddin’s passing.
Sultan Sharafuddin received his early education at the Malay Primary School in Jalan Raja Muda, Kuala Lumpur, before continuing at St John’s Institution.
In 1960, Tuanku attended Hale School in Perth, Australia, before furthering his studies at Langhurst College in Surrey, England, in 1964.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Tuanku served as a civil servant at the Selangor state secretariat, and also worked at the Kuala Lumpur district office and the police department.
Sultan Sharafuddin is also the Captain-in-Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
His Royal Highness has three children – Tengku Zerafina, Tengku Zatashah and the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah – as well as two granddaughters.
Sultan Sharafuddin is married to Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Noorashikin.
May Sultan Sharafuddin, who celebrates his 25th anniversary as Selangor’s ninth Ruler this year, continue to rule steadfastly for many more years to come.
Daulat Tuanku!
