KLANG: An investiture ceremony held in conjunction with the 72nd birthday of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah took place at Istana Alam Shah on Monday.
The event began at 9.30am with the arrival of Sultan Sharafuddin and his consort, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin Abdul Rahman at the palace’s Balairung Seri, as the royal ensemble played nobat music.
Members of the royal family, dignitaries and guests in attendance – who began arriving at the venue at 8am – stood to welcome the royal couple as they took their seats on the singgahsana throne, along with Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
Heading the list of 103 award recipients was another royal, the Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.
Honourees described their awards as humbling recognition of their hard work in furthering the development of their respective states, ministries, departments and the country as a whole.
Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim, who received the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (SPMS) which carries the title “Datuk Seri,” said the award serves as further motivation to his ministry.
“Thank you, Tuanku. This is recognition of the ministry as a whole. I will improve my performance and the entire ministry will work harder and be more determined in safeguarding the country’s peace and safety,” he said.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali said his award is a boost for the department to continue carrying out its responsibilities dutifully at the state and federal levels.
Mustafar was the sole recipient of the Darjah Kebesaran Dato' Setia Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (SSIS), which carries the title “Datuk Setia.”
“This is an acknowledgement of the department and serves as motivation for us to perform better.
“It is the second time that the Selangor Palace has awarded me, the first being the Tokoh Khalid Al-Walid, in conjunction with the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations recently.
“I am grateful for this award and will multiply my efforts in carrying out my duties and tasks,” he added.
The ceremony also saw Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Mohammad Azlan Abdullah, who was the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) CEO from 2011 to March 2017; and the current NSTP CEO Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid being among nine recipients conferred with the Darjah Kebesaran Dato Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS).
The DSIS carries the title “Datuk” for men and “Datin Paduka” for women.
Following the investiture ceremony, guests were treated to a delectable spread of local and western cuisines at the royal dining hall.
This was followed by an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin (Majlis Menghadap Sultan).