, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 DAULAT TUANKU

Warm wishes for a revered Ruler

Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah celebrates his 79th birthday today. Even though public celebrations are postponed due to the pandemic, Kedahans stand in solidarity in offering felicitations on the occasion and prayers for the Sultan’s well-being, good health and happiness. 2 Daulat Tuanku THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 Caring for the rakyat’s well-being

Sultan Sallehuddin and waving to the jubilant crowd during His Royal Highness’ installation ceremony as the 29th Sultan of .

SPIRITS are high as Kedahans celebrate critical May 1969 incident, his battalion His Royal Highness Al Aminul Karim Sultan was involved in an operation in Penang. Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan The Ruler retired from the Armed Forces Badlishah’s 79th birthday today. on Feb 14, 1974. During his retirement break, Nothing could dampen their jubilation he underwent training at the National despite there being no public celebration Productivity Council (NPC) and Malaysian because of the pandemic. All official Institute of Management (MIM) and also celebrations, ceremonies and programmes attended management courses in the United have been postponed. States. Gazetted as a public holiday, today marks He has vast experience in administration the official birthday of the 29th Sultan and business, and had served with numer- of Kedah whose actual birthday falls on ous property development, timber and April 30. construction companies. The people stand in solidarity in offering His involvement in the various fields their best wishes for the Ruler’s well-being, has certainly made him more sensitive good health and happiness. and aware of public development issues, Sultan Sallehuddin was born on April 30, such as the importance of education, 1942, in , Kedah, and is the ninth of science, technology, engineering and 14 siblings of the late Sultan Badlishah Ibni mathematics (STEM), basic facilities, water The Sultan and Sultanah during Hari Raya celebrations at Istana in 2019. Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, treatment, housing, agriculture, plantation, the 27th Sultan of Kedah. transportation, roads, natural resources and The Ruler’s mother Almarhumah Sultanah wakaf. Asma Almarhum Sultan Sulaiman was the Sultan Sallehuddin also has a deep interest daughter of the Sultan of , for history, especially the history of Kedah. Almarhum Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam He believes that historical literacy will Shah. develop the people’s mind and love for the Sultan Sallehuddin began his early educa- state and country. tion at Sekolah Melayu Alor Merah before His love and concern for the well-being of continuing his studies at Sultan Abdul the people and for environment sustainabili- Hamid College, where he had the opportuni- ty have constantly been reflected in his ty to interact with students from different speeches, including at policy-making level races and backgrounds. during the opening of the Kedah State He was actively involved in various activi- Legislative Assembly. ties including rugby, football and the debate The monarch is also regularly briefed team. His most unforgettable experience on the impact of development in the state. was his participation in a four-day bamboo His views on the needs and aspirations of rafting expedition from Sungai Sik to Sungai the people have made it possible for him to Kuala Muda in 1958. articulate the various aspects of social and Upon completing his Senior Cambridge, physical development. he worked as a temporary teacher at Sultan Sallehuddin, who is highly revered Sekolah Kebangsaan Iskandar, Alor Setar, by his subjects, has a friendly yet firm char- in 1962. acter when it comes to decision-making, and Acting on the advice of his elder brother, is very meticulous about his appearance. The Sultan greeting his subjects at a gathering with the people in Kulim in February 2020. Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam His military training had instilled the Shah, and his deep interest in the military, values of discipline, loyalty, hard work and 1965 and blessed with two sons — DYTM on Sept 12, 2017 succeeding his brother, the monarch chose to undergo cadet training respect and had shaped his persona into Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah (who is the Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam and was sent to the India Military Academy someone who is strict and precise. These current Tuanku Raja Muda Kedah) on March Shah. in Dehra Dun, India, from July 23, 1962 to qualities greatly influenced his outlook 2, 1967 and YTM Tunku Shazuddin Ariff The Ruler holds several key positions, June 30, 1963. toward life outside the palace. (who is the current Tunku Laksamana among them as Chancellor of Universiti Upon his return to his homeland, he was The Ruler was conferred the rank of Kedah) on April 27, 1970. Utara (UUM) and Universiti Islam commissioned as a Lieutenant on Feb 12, Brigadier-General in 2007 and served as Tengku Sarafudin is married to DYTM Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim 1964 and subsequently posted to the advisor to the Royal Malay Regiment. Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff Mu’adzam Shah (UniSHAMS). 2nd Battalion Royal Malay Regiment in Now as Sultan, he is the Colonel-in-Chief and they have two children, a prince and a He was conferred the title of Darjah Seri Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Baru in of the Royal Malay Regiment and also the princess. Paduka Mahkota Yang Amat Mulia Kelantan. Royal Ordinance Corps. Sultan Sallehuddin was proclaimed as (SPMK) on Nov 28, 2016 and Darjah Kerabat During his time in the service, he was He was conferred the Pahlawan Angkatan YTM Tunku Temenggong of Kedah on Nov Yang Amat Di-Hormati (Al-Yunus), D.K engaged in security operations along the Tentera (PAT) or The Most Gallant Order of 28, 1981. (Kelantan) on Sept 30, 2017. common border with Thailand in the states Military Service by the Yang di-Pertuan He was also appointed as a member of the He was bestowed with the Darjah Kerabat of Kelantan, Kedah and . Agong in 2012 for his exceptional service in Kedah Council of Regency when his eldest Kedah on Jan 15, 2017, Darjah Kerabat A critical stint was the Indonesia-Malaysia the Malaysian Armed Forces. brother Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Yang Amat Di-Hormati Pangkat Pertama confrontation where his battalion was active The monarch is active in sports and is an Mu’adzam Shah served as the King from D.K 1 on Oct 30, 2017 and Darjah Kerabat at Kalabakan and the Indonesia-Malaysia avid golfer, and he loves animals just like his 2011 to 2016. DiRaja Yang Amat Di-Hormati Perak on border such as Kampong Mentadah, late father. He keeps cats of various breeds He later chaired that Council after the Dec 4, 2017. Simpang Tiga and Apas Balong. as pets. During his leisure, he enjoys sight- demise of his older brother Almarhum Dato’ Sultan Sallehuddin also received the The 2nd Battalion was later transferred seeing and travelling with his children and Seri Utama Tan Sri in 2014 Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Di-Hormati to Pengkalan Chepa in 1965 and subsequent- grandchildren. and held the post until Dec 12, 2016. on Jan 25, 2018, Darjah Kerabat ly to Kem Sungai Besi in 1966. The following Sultan Sallehuddin met his consort Her The monarch was proclaimed as the Negeri Sembilan on Aug 21, 2018, Darjah year, the battalion was based in Royal Highness Sultanah Maliha Almarhum 19th Raja Muda of Kedah on Dec 15, 2016 Kerabat Baginda Tuanku Syed Putra conducting operations at the Indonesia- Tengku Ariff, who is from the royal family of succeeding another elder brother Almarhum Jamalullail (Perlis) on Sept 13, 2018, Darjah Malaysia border until 1968. Kelantan, when he was posted there with the , who passed away on Mahkota Negara (DMN) from the Prime In 1969, Sultan Sallehuddin was stationed Royal Malay Regiment. Nov 29, 2015. Minister on Oct 15, 2018, and Darjah Kerabat at Tok Jalai Camp in Kedah. During the The royal couple was married on Nov 26, Sultan Sallehuddin ascended the throne Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang on Sept 5, 2019. THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 3 4 THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 5 6 THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 Daulat Tuanku 7

The Sultan posing with his young subjects who came out in droves to greet him during his visit to Muzium Kota Kuala Kedah in 2019. 8 Daulat Tuanku THE STAR, SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021

Sultan Sallehuddin keeps updated on the current administrative matters and development The Ruler flagging off a group from the 6 Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja on a joint in the state via video conference with the State Secretary. operation to Sabah.

Sultan Sallehuddin with his beloved family.

His Royal Highness spends countless hours at his mini zoo within the palace grounds The Sultan distributing duit Raya to children after Friday prayers in 2019. when he has no official functions.