RAJA Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah is admired by people from all walks of life not only because she is the Sultan of Johor's consort but for her charitable work, her caring ways as a motherly figure, her concern for the people and her numerous artistic skills.
The Permaisuri Johor title she receives today in conjunction with the Sultan of Johor‘s coronation after a 55-year hiatus will further enhance her variety of public engagements.
Born to the Perak royal family on August 14 1959, at the Batu Gajah Hospital in Perak to the 33rd Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Shah Sultan Iskandar Shah and Raja Perempuan Perak Raja Perempuan Muzwin Raja Ariff, the royal couples‘ second daughter is well known for her charitable involvements.
Raja Zarith Sofiah supports various charitable and non-governmental organisations. She is a patron of the Johor Spastic Children‘s Association, Rotary Club of Tebrau Heart Fund and the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association.
While studying at the University of Oxford, UK, she was engaged to Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who was then the Tunku Mahkota of Johor in 1982. A year later they solemnised their marriage after she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Chinese studies from the university in 1983.
She later graduated from Oxford with a Master of Arts in 1986.
She frequently assists Sultan Ibrahim on his official duties and is the patron of numerous charitable organisations.
Raja Zarith Sofiah, a mother of six, participates actively in non-governmental organisations and universities, and has also published a book titled “On Common Ground“, a collection of 80 selected articles by Raja Zarith Sofiah which were published in her columns “On Common Ground“ and “Mind Matters“ in the New Straits Times and the Sunday Star respectively, between 2000 and 2012.
Raja Zarith Sofiah often puts aside protocol when visiting those in need.
In 2012, she walked up four storeys of a dilapidated low-cost block and sat on the floor of a flat while talking to the family of a missing child.
She is a regular feature at the Paediatric Palliative Care Unit in the Sultan Ismail hospital and the Paediatric Ward at Sultanah Aminah hospital where she brings cheer to children and counsels their parents.
Raja Zarith Sofiah accompanies Sultan Ibrahim during his annual Kembara Mahkota Johor tour, where she meets and greets the people and takes time to talk to them, putting aside protocol.
There are numerous untold stories of the charitable work Raja Zarith Sofiah has undertaken, including working with youths, the elderly and those with disabilities.
During an interview with members of the Media Prima group at Istana Bukit Serene, Raja Zarith Sofiah said she enjoyed working with less popular non-governmental organisations and other associations instead of the recognised ones.
Raja Zarith Sofiah, who is royal patron of Hospice Malaysia said better awareness about hospice care was required.
“Not many people are aware that hospice care services are provided by a team of health care professionals who maximise comfort for terminally ill people by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. They also provide grieving parents or family members with counselling, care and practical support.
Despite Raja Zarith Sofiah‘s packed schedule, she often spends quality time with her six children.
“I often emphasise on education with all my children. Currently Tunku Bubu, 13, (Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar) is the only one attending school. I keep a close tab on Tunku Bubu‘s progress in school, his grades and his extra curricular activities.
“His teachers communicate via e-mail, to update me about his daily school activities,” Raja Zarith Sofiah said.
“Of course being the youngest we often affectionately refer to Tunku Bubu as the baby in the family, but he is now a teenager and is shy when we kiss or hug him in public,” she said, adding that all their children are close to their parents.
“We constantly remind them about the importance of working as a family unit and the need for unity, love, compassion and consideration, while Tuanku Sultan frequently reminds them of their responsibilities to the people,” Raja Zarith Sofiah added.