Coronation - HRH Sultan Selangor IX Stamp

His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah was proclaimed as the ninth Sultan of Selangor on November 22, 2001 after the demise of his father, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on November 21, 2001. His Royal Highness was given the title Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. His Royal Highness was born on December 24, 1945 at Istana Jema'ah Klang Selangor (present Islamic College, Klang) and is the eldest son of 10 children of the late DYMM Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj and YMM Raja Shaidatul Ihsan Binti Tengku Badar Shah @ Raja Lat (with the title Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Bonda Raja Selangor).

His Royal Highness received his early education at the Malay Primary School, Jalan Raja Muda Kuala Lumpur and St John's Institution Primary School From 1954 to 1959. His Royal Highness then continued his secondary education at Hale School in Perth, Australia in 1960 before proceeding to England to further his education at the Langhurst College in Surrey in 1964.

On September 3rd, 1960 at the age of 15 His Royal Highness was proclaimed and gazette as the Crown Prince of Selangor. The installation ceremony was held at Istana Alam Shah, Klang on March 14, 1970, thus His Royal Highness became the eighth Raja Muda of Selangor.

On his return from England in 1968 after completing his studies, His Royal Highness has held several posts in the Selangor State and Federal Government Administrative Services. His Royal Highness was attached to the Selangor State Secretariat, the District Office and the Royal Malaysian Police Department in Kuala Lumpur and has gained wide experience and knowledge in the fields of administration.

His Royal Highness is blessed with 2 daughters, YAM Tengku Zerafina and YAM Tengku Zatashah, and a son DYTM Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the Raja Muda of Selangor.

His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was also actively involved in sports. A keen sportsman and an ardent supporter of Football Association of Selangor (FAS). In recognition to his great interest and support of the Association, His Royal Highness was appointed as Chairman of the Semi-Pro Football Association and made as an Honorary Life President of the Football Association of Selangor.

His Royal Highness is also active in adventurous sports such as sailing, vintage car race and mountain scaling to add to his credits. The most prestige Vintage Car Race that His Royal highness has participated and achieved was the "Peking to Paris Challenge" in 1997. The race was a 16,000 kilometer distance that took 43 days driving through 15 countries (China, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France). His Royal Highness received the Silver Medal under the Vintage Car Class.

In 1995-1996 His Royal Highness created history for Selangor by sailing on world circumnavigation with his yatch "S.Y. Jugra" for 21 months (27,940 nautical miles) which made him the first Malay from the Royal Family to achieve the challenge.

His Royal Highness was also awarded as Honorary member and Fellowship and appointed as Patrons by various organizations, associations, councils, clubs, societies and foundations.

In the academic fields, His Royal Highness was appointed the Pro-Chancellor of University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) on May 20, 2000. On March 31, 2001 University Teknologi MARA conferred His Royal Highness the honorary degree of the 'Doctor of Public Administration'. And on April 1st, 2002 His Royal Highness was appointed as the 'Chancellor' or University Putra Malaysia (UPM).

His Royal Highness is extremely interested in art, and has a very good collection of Art works by local and Asian artists. His other hobbies include reading, yachting, photography, collecting stamps and traditional Malay weapons (keris). Presently His Royal Highness is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Yayasan Seni Selangor (Selangor Art Foundation) and Galeri Shah Alam.

Technical Details

Date of Issue : 8 March 2003

Denomination : 30 sen, 50 sen, RM1.00

Stamp Size : 30mm X 40mm

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 stamps

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value : RM3.50

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography

Father of Independence Malaysia Stamp

Tunku Abdul Rahman was born at the 'Istana Tiga Tingkat' (Three Storey Palace) in Alor Setar, Kedah on the 8th of February, 1903. He was the 20th child of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halimshah, the 24th Sultan of Kedah. Tunku's mother, Nerang, better known as Che Menjalara, was a descendent of Chao Phya Maha Kota, Thailand. Although Tunku lived at the palace grounds, he frequently slipped out to play with the village boys. His moderate personality with a good sense of humor and down to earth manner in which he carried himself, made him often known as 'The Prince" with a common touch.

When he was ten, his mother sent him to stay with his eldest brother, Tunku Yusuf in Bangkok and he had the opportunity to study at the Debsurin School. However, when Tunku Yusuf passed away, Tunku had to return to Kedah. He then studied in a Malay school for a year and then joined the Penang Free School.

When he was seventeen, Tunku left for England to continue his studies, on a Kedah Government Scholarship. He also represented his college in his favorite game, football. In 1926, Tunku returned to Kedah with a bachelor's degree in law and history from the Cambridge University which he obtained in 1925. 4 months later, Tunku was sent back to England by his elder brother, Tunku Ibrahim, who was the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Kedah at that time to continue with his law studies at the Inner Temple. In view of the increasing number of Malay students, he got together with the others and formed The Malay Association of Great Britain and was elected secretary of the association. Due to lack of concentration, after 5 years he failed in his studies and returned to Malaya.

Tunku chose to join the Civil Service as a cadet in the Legal Advisor's Office in Alor Star and then as Assistant District Officer and District Officer in several areas in Kedah.

In 1933, Tunku married a Chinese lady who became a Muslim, Meriam and had two children, Tunku Khadijah and Tunku Ahmad Nerang. Not long after that, when Tunku was in charge of Kuala Nerang, Meriam died of malaria, in a time when he was trying hard to improve health and medical conditions there. Another attempt to complete his law studies in England was made in 1938. While there, Tunku married Violet Coulson from England, but the union was short-lived. When the Second World War broke out Tunku had to return to Kedah. He was appointed District Officer of Sungai Petani and later of Kulim. In 1939, he married Sharifah Rodziah bt. Syed Alwi Barakbah and they lead a happy married life until the end of Tunku's life.

Tunku was determined to finish his studies. In 1947, he went back to England and this time he returned happily after successfully completing his studies at the Inns of Court.

Soon after that, Tunky was made Chairman of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Kedah. When Dato' Oon bin Jaafar resigned as UMNO President, Tunku was chosen to lead the party. Among historic events guided by Tunku was the political alliance of UMNO and the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) in 1952 and with the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) who joined the Alliance in 1955. On the same year, Tunku also declared an amnesty for communist terrorists who surrendered. 5 years later, the concerted efforts of all Malayans succeeded in ending the Emergency caused by communist terrorism.

Efforts in freeing the country from being ruled further by the British were finally accomplished. On the midnight of 30th August 1957 at the Selangor Club Padang, the Malayan flag was hoisted taking place of the Union Jack. The next morning, the 31st of August, at the Merdeka Stadium, Tunku read the Proclamation of Independence followed by the shouts of "Merdeka' which were joyously echoed by thousands who were there and the millions who followed the proceedings through the radio.

Nearly 3 years later, Tunku mooted the formation of Malaysia, to comprise Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei. Brunei decided not to join the formation. Although the Philippines and Indonesia opposed, Malaysia was successfully formed in 1963. In 1965, Singapore decided to leave Malaysia and that decision saddened Tunku.

Tunku then relinquished his position as the first Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1970 to his deputy Tun Abdul Razak after the race riot outbreak on the 13th May 1969. Even though Tunku was not holding any position in the government, he continued to contribute through his books, newspaper columns and occasional speeches. Tunku also received numerous honors, awards and honorary degrees for his role and effort from the State and Federal Government, universities, charity organizations and foreign governments.

The late Tunku Abdul Rahman passed away in 1990 at the age of 87 years old.

Technical Details

Date of Issue : 3-Mar-2003

Stamp Value : 30 Sen; 50 Sen; RM1.00 ( 2 Designs )

Stamp Size : 30mm X 40mm

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM1.00

Miniature Sheet Size : 100mm X 70mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30mm X 40mm

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 stamps

Stamp Designer : Hazel Design

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen