THE STAR, THURSDAY 14 JANUARY 2021 DAULAT TUANKU Happy Birthday, Tuanku Many happy returns of the day to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir who celebrates his 73rd birthday today. 2 Daulat Tuanku THE STAR, THURSDAY 14 JANUARY 2021 ORDINARILY, a man picking up trash is hardly an attention- grabbing scene. But for motorists driving along Seremban’s Jalan Yamtuan walks the talk Tuanku Munawir, a billboard featuring a man doing just that has been causing double takes. Clad in a short-sleeved T-shirt and fedora and wielding a garbage picker, the man pictured in the With Tuanku, it’s billboard is none other than the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri not just lip service. Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku You know that he Munawir. Those present on the day the has his ear to the image was captured will attest ground and ardently to the fact that the picture was neither a photo opportunity nor follows current issues publicity stunt. be it politics, social The candid photo was taken shortly after the launch of the problems or the state-level World Cleanup Day and environment. Negri Sembilan Bersih (A Clean Negri Sembilan) campaign at the Datuk Dr Kirthi Jeyarajah Lake Gardens here last September. The Ruler, who was scheduled to partake in refreshments at a nearby hotel after the launch, As the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, caught everyone off-guard when Tuanku Muhriz is naturally the he set protocol aside to participate royal patron of many organisations in clean-up efforts at the Seremban in the state. But rather than remain main market. an observer, the Ruler has made it Armed with garbage pickers, a point to take an active interest in Tuanku Muhriz using a rubbish picker to help in the clean-up exercise at the Seremban main market, in Tuanku Muhriz and his sons the various non-profits and clubs September last year. Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku he patronises. Zain Al-’Abidin helped out in the Malaysian Red Crescent Society T-shirts and slacks, took their time passionate the Ruler is when it Besides providing financial aid sprucing-up exercise organised by (MRCS) state chapter deputy to go house to house and chat comes to service. to deserving students, Yayasan the state government and Solid chairman Ramesh Patel, who has with villagers to check on their During their sessions, the Ruler Munarah has also organised Waste Management and Public had the pleasure of working with well-being and give out cash assis- often highlights issues faced by the pre-examination workshops, Cleansing Corporation (SWM). Tuanku Muhriz during several tance. community and discusses ways in medical camps for the hardcore While doing his part, the Ruler MRCS events, said the Ruler kept Resident Asiah Mohd Salleh said which the club can address and poor, and supported causes related also paused to chat with shoppers, himself updated with the society’s she was surprised when Tuanku find solutions for these problems. to special needs children. and more importantly, to offer activities and enjoyed engaging Muhriz walked into her home The issues broached range The foundation’s work is not just motivation to those involved in the with members. unannounced to enquire after her from caring for the environment to limited to helping the needy. clean-up project. “When our branch hosted a family’s well-being and to assess bullying in schools. Causes also include Leading by example comes national level medical camp for the impact of the flood. “Tuanku’s support is not about environmental issues and the naturally to Tuanku Muhriz, who youth several years ago, Tuanku “Tuanku was very friendly and just cutting ribbons at launches. promotion of culture and the arts – celebrates his 73rd birthday today. not only graced the event, but enquired about our well-being. He If Tuanku hears that we are raising subjects that are equally important Tuanku Muhriz is quite accus- participated in our activities even asked if we had managed to funds for a good cause, Tuanku to Tuanku Muhriz. tomed to rolling up his sleeves for alongside our youth members. save our pets,” she said. would be the first person to con- The Ruler, whose second prince community causes – a practice that “Just like everyone else attending Tuanku Muhriz’s involvement in tribute. Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin is a trustee dates back to his days as the inter- the camp, Tuanku followed a CPR charitable initiatives today is just “I remember when we needed of the Chopin Society of Malaysia, national service director of the demonstration and later practised an extension of the good work that money to purchase a van for enjoys attending classical music Rotary Club Kuala Lumpur Diraja. what he had learnt in a mock he had actively pursued and car- Hospice Seremban a few years recitals and winding down to tunes During the conditional move- resuscitation activity,” he said. ried out during his younger years. back. Tuanku immediately from his favourite artists – Elvis ment control order last year, when contributed RM10,000 via Yayasan Presley, The Beatles and Cliff the state’s blood bank’s supply was Warm and caring Giving support to various Munarah.” Richard. running dangerously low, Tuanku community projects Muhriz was among the first to Ramesh said Tuanku Muhriz Lending a helping hand Passion for music respond to calls to replenish the was often accompanied to events As the royal patron of Rotary stock. by his consort Tunku Ampuan Club Seremban and Rotary Club to the underprivileged Tuanku Muhriz’s love for music A blood donation drive was held Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Senawang, the Ruler continues to Yayasan Munarah – a foundation was fostered during his school at Istana Hinggap in Seremban, Aishah Rohani, who shared the lend his support to various projects to help the underprivileged – was days at the Aldenham School in with the Ruler and palace staff Ruler’s interest in causes that that benefit the community. among the first charitable initia- England, where he led a band donating blood in aid of the urgent served the rakyat. Rotary Club Senawang adviser tives set up by the Negri Sembilan cheekily dubbed The Prince and cause. “Over the years, Tuanku has Datuk Dr Kirthi Jeyarajah recalls royal family several months after the Paupers. True to his mantra of walking graciously allowed us to hold our Tuanku Muhriz’s words to Tuanku Muhriz ascended the But while strumming his guitar the talk, Tuanku Muhriz started the annual MRCS NS awards ceremony Rotarians during their last catch-up throne a little over a decade ago. brings him great joy, the Ruler is a ball rolling by volunteering to at Istana Hinggap,” he said. with the Ruler. The foundation was named in steadfast believer of duty above all donate blood himself before urging “Tuanku is jovial and very “With Tuanku, it’s not just lip honour of the ruler’s parents else. his subjects to do the same. knowledgeable, and topmost service. You know that he has his Tuanku Munawir Tuanku Abdul A just leader whose legal train- Tuanku Muhriz’s humble gesture of his priorities is the younger ear to the ground and ardently Rahman – the ninth ruler of Negri ing instilled in him values such as drew attention to the importance generation.” follows current issues be it Sembilan who reigned from fairness, integrity and accountabili- of donating blood to replenish The Ruler is also the royal patron politics, social problems or the 1960-67, and his consort Tuanku ty, Tuanku Muhriz often espouses the blood bank’s supply and save of CMH Specialist Hospital (former- environment. Ampuan Durah Tunku Besar that Malaysians are capable of lives. ly NS Chinese Maternity Hospital) “After visiting the victims of last Burhanuddin. thinking critically and rationally to Tuanku Muhriz also paid tribute in Seremban. November’s floods, Tuanku sug- To date, Yayasan Munarah has uphold peace and security in the to those involved in the fight On a visit to the hospital’s gested that we put together pres- reached out to thousands of people country, which was hard-won. against Covid-19, and commended dialysis centre, which provides entations for schools to educate in need and disbursed over The Ruler reiterated his thoughts all Malaysians for proving they subsidised treatment for needy students on the effects of indis- RM7mil in aid. at the investiture ceremony for were able to cooperate and help patients, the Ruler and his consort criminate littering,” he said. Among the recipients whose state honours last year. each other, irrespective of race and took the time to speak to patients Since becoming the club’s royal dreams were achieved with assis- “In fact, the sovereignty of the religion. undergoing dialysis and give them patron in 2009, Tuanku Muhriz has tance from the foundation is Dr country wasn’t achieved easily. “I am truly amazed and at the words of encouragement. also participated in the club’s Shamini Subramaniam, currently a Appreciation should be given to same time, value the dedication of One patient, Gan Kean Ling, events, attending everything from houseman at Hospital Segamat. all national fighters and security all frontliners as well as those when met, remembers being campaign launches to the annual Despite obtaining excellent forces who had shed sweat, tears behind the scenes who are fighting pleasantly surprised when installation of committee members. results during her matriculation at and blood, for the sovereignty and the virus. Tuanku Muhriz dropped in. Dr Kirthi said the ruler had a government college in Kuala security of this country. “I am also proud of the commit- The grandfather from Temiang only excused himself once since Pilah, the daughter of a lorry driver “The people here are made up of ment shown by the rakyat where here said the visit boosted his assuming the role of the club’s father and a rubber tapper mother many different races, religions and many have served as volunteers morale as it was tiring to undergo royal patron.