Malaysian Serama Stamp

Pos Malaysia Bhd(Pos Malaysia)has chosen to issue stamps featuring the Malaysian Serama, a prominent breed of rooster known for its protruding chest, in conjunction with this year's Chinese New Year. Serama is a breed that originated in Malaysia within the last 50 years.

It will again feature the Bantam but this time it is Serama, a breed of Malaysian origin.

The previous Bantam issue was in 2001 where a set of stamps and 2 MS (perforated and imperforated) were issued. This was followed by a Phila Nippon ’01 Overprint.

The Malaysian Serama is the world's smallest chicken, weighing just around 350gm to 500gm. This pygmy chicken was first bred in the Malaysian state of Kelantan during the 1970's by cross-breeding local jungle fowl with various other chicken breeds such as the Japanese bantam and Malaysian bantam.

The most prominent feature of the Serama is its upright, well-developed and muscular body with a protruding chest. Its legs are fairly long and straight with perpendicular wings held down, levelling to the ground. The colours of their feathers range from red to white and black, but golden yellow, red, lemon, black red and yellow-browns are most desirable in Malaysia. The tail carriage is normally vertical and held upright with overlapping feathers in a shape that is known as ‘susun sirih’ in Malay, or overlapping betel leaves. The sickle feathers, which are prominent in the male Serama, are situated at the base of the tail. They are usually longer and come in pairs, which are of the same length and proportion. The head of the Serama is small and leaned backwards. Its comb is always red in colour, while its earlobes are sometimes red and white. Its curved beak is a combination of yellow and olive green and the same colour combination is observed on its feet.

 Serama beauty competitions are held all over the country and around the world. In a beauty competition, a Serama should appear confident and striding, in a fearless and dominant demeanour on stage, or in its case, a table top. Its performance is judged by its posturing, flapping of its wings and moving in circular motion. Points are usually awarded in a structured scoring system, such as colour, sickle feather, tail carriage, wings, feet and legs, body, head, feather condition and overall style.

There are in general eight categories of Serama in these competitions -- Serama A (adult male below 350gm), Serama B (adult male above 350gm - 500gm), Anak Serama (chicks) A & B, Serama Muda (young male), Serama Remaja (adolescent male), Serama Induk/betina (female) and Serama Tanpa Lawi or ABS (‘Ayam Belum Siap’ or adult male without sickle).

Technical Details:

Stamps
85sen : Serama A & Serama Remaja
95sen : Serama B, Serama Induk & Anak Serama
RM1.05 : Serama Muda & Serama Tanpa Lawi

Miniature Sheet
The Chinese painting in the Miniature Sheet depicts the auspicious traits of the traditional rooster with a large red crown and long, curved sickle in a cock-crowing position. The upright stance, protruding chest and golden-yellow colour are the typical desired traits of the Malaysian Serama. The Chinese character reads 'Jin Ji Bao Xi, Yi Ming Tian Xia Bai', which means 'The golden rooster calls, to announce the dawn and celebration of a glorious new day"

First Day Cover with Stamp RM3.35

First Day Cover with Miniature Sheet RM3.50

First Day Cover with Miniature Sheet RM8.50

Miniature Sheet RM3.00

Miniature Sheet RM8.00

Folder RM 6.00


The designer is Reign Associates Sdn Bhd (Mr KY Lim).

Chinese Painting by: Dr Wong Kum Peng


Acknowledgements :
Kelab Serama Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
Serama Zam Subang (Norzamini Tukiban)
The Art of Serama Malaysia (Lee Kok Hoong)

Royal Institution Stamp

Pos Malaysia issues limited royal institution stamp collection
Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy. The system of government is closely modelled on that of the Westminster parliamentary system, a legacy of British colonial rule. The head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commonly referred to as the king. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term by and from among the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states; the other four states, which have titular Governors, do not participate in the selection. By informal agreement the position is systematically rotated among the nine, and has been held by Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu since 2007. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s role has been mostly ceremonial since changes to the constitution in 1994.

Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. The bicameral federal parliament consists of the lower house, the House of Representatives and the upper house, the Senate. The 222-member House of Representatives is elected for a maximum term of five years from single-member constituencies, which are determined based on population. All 70 senators sit for three-year terms; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, and the remaining 44 are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation. The parliament follows a multi-party system and the government is elected through a first-past-the-post system. Since independence Malaysia has been governed by a multi-party coalition known as the Barisan Nasional.

Pos Malaysia is to sell from 12 December 2011, a stamp and philatelic collection on the theme of the institution of the monarchy, showcasing three items of the royal regalia. Pos Malaysia Berhad Group Chief Operating Officer Shukrie Salleh said the company was honoured to produce exclusive stamps, envelopes, first-day covers and folders on the royal institution.

The special stamps, measuring 50mm x 40mm, depict the Royal Tiara (60 sen), Royal Waist-Buckle (80 sen) and the Royal Throne (90 sen) and can be purchased from post offices nationwide.

Folders are priced at RM5.50 each and can only be obtained from selected post offices. "We hope Pos Malaysia's efforts will encourage an appreciation for the history and heritage of Malaysia's royal institution," he said at a news conference here today.

Meanwhile, Pos Malaysia Stamp and Philately Unit chief Yasmin Ramli said the items of the royal regalia found on these exclusive stamps had been gazetted as national heritage on March 16, 2009. "Pos Malaysia targets local and foreign stamp collectors to purchase this edition as it is limited and will not be reprinted. "The royal institution stamp collection is the last for this year, whereby 14 collections have already been issued. We will continue issuing various stamp collections next year," she added.

Technical Details





Stamp Value :60sen, 80sen, 90sen

Stamp Sheet
Sheet Content :20 Stamps

Paper :SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process :Offset

Printer :National Security Printer

Stamp Designer :Prof. Dato' Raja Zahabuddin Raja Yaacob

First Day Cover
First Day Cover Value : 50 Sen

Folder
Folder Value :RM5.50

Poster
First Day Cover (with stamps)


Date of Issue 12-Dec-2011

Malaysia Stamp Issue 2010

Source: Pos Malaysia
A glimpse of the Malaysian stamps scheduled for year 2010 - the Year of the Tiger. Note: Stamp issues and dates are tentative and often subject to last minute changes.

Malaysian Currency - January 5

1 Malaysia Collection - Month of January

Malaysia-Korea Joint Issue (Tiger) - February 23

Ferns - March 10

Local Markets - March 23

Medical Excellence - April 7

Firefly - May 10

Malayan Railways - June 1

Threatened Habitats - June 21

Orang Asli - July 7

Brave Warrior - July 31

Traditional Festive Food - August 10

Highland Tourist Spot - September 27

Post Office - October 9

Traditional Games - October 18

Children's Pet - November 20

Malaysia-Iran Joint Issue - December 22

Arachnids Stamps

Malaysia post issued a set of four stamps featuring various spiders found in the country. The spiders are Fighting Spider, Curved Spiny Spider, St Andrew’s Cross Spider, Golden Orb-web Spider some of which are poisonous also.

Thiania bhamoensis:
The species is iridescent green-blue. Females are more green, males more blue. From the front view, the female’s face are black. And the males are white.

These spiders build a silken retreat by binding a pair of green leaves together, where they rest, moult and lay their eggs, which is unusual for a jumping spider. Making a single rivet to attach the leaves takes about half an hour. About four to ten rivets are arranged in a roughly elliptical manner. These nests are built by both sexes and juveniles. Although T. bhamoensis can be found on many kinds of plants, it most often chooses Crinum asiaticum (spider lily).

Because two males will readily fight each other, either in a natural setting, or if put together, they are commonly known as “fighting spider” in South-east Asia. These spiders are commonly kept in matchboxes with a piece of green leaf and a spat of saliva for moisture. A spider that wins fight after fight gets the status of “first king”.

Gasteracantha arcuata:
Spiders of the Gasteracantha genus build vertical orb-webs with an open hub which are easily recognised. They have a hard, flat body armed with three pairs of spines on the edge of the abdomen. The spinnerets are elevated on a large projection and surrounded by a sclerotised ring-like structure.

In Singapore, the spider can be found only among tree branches on Bukit Timah Hill.

Argiope versicolor:
This species appears very similar to Argiope pulchella. Both have a pentagonal abdomen. The flat, oval, whitish egg-sac has a papery texture and is often suspended near the web. Argiope spiders make webs which are suspended vertically 1-2 metres from the ground.

The web of mature female spiders of this genus can be easily recognised by the X-shaped zigzag bands of white silk in the centre of the web.

The brilliantly coloured spider with silvery hair on the carapace sits head down in the centre of the web, and holds its legs in pairs in such a way that they appear to be aligned to the four arms of the letter ‘X’. The males are dull in colour and like the females, have the habit of pairing their legs. Their webs are, however, decorated by a lace-like centre, instead of white bands in the shape of the letter ‘X’.

Nephila maculata:
The Golden Orb Web Spider is not the largest spider, but makes the largest and strongest web. It gets its name from the golden colour of its silk.

The web can run from the top of a tree 6m high and up to 2m wide. Unlike other spider webs, the Golden Orb Web Spider’s web is not dismantled often and can last several years.
Designed to catch large flying insects, the web is slightly angled. It is not a perfect wheel and is usually off-centre. To make its web, the spider releases a thin thread into the wind. When it catches on something, the spider walks along it trailing a stronger non-sticky thread. It repeats the process in the centre of the line to form a strong Y-frame. Around this, it spins the rest of the web out of sticky capture silk.

The silk is so strong that it can trap small birds, which the spider doesn’t eat. These trapped creatures often destroy the web by thrashing around. To avoid such damage, the spider often leaves a line of insect husks on its web (like the safety strip across glass doors!); or builds smaller barrier webs around the main web.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 7th December 2009

Stamp Value : 30 sen (2 Designs), 50 sen & RM1
Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Miniature Sheet Size : RM5 (Embossed)

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Perforation 14

Paper Watermarked SPM, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn. Bhd.

Designer : Teh Yew Kiang

State Definitive Series - Special Collection Garden Flowers Stamps

The State Definitive Series - Special Collection is a special and limited collection where all the six denomination of each state definitive stamps featuring Garden Flowers issued on 31st December 2007 is available in 14 separate mini sheets according to each state. This collection comprises of 14 mini stamp sheets in a specially designed envelope and a first day cover.


5 sen Stamp

The 5 sen stamp features the sacred lotus (Nelumbium nelumbo) which is an aquatic perennial that can grow up to a height of 6 metres depending on the depth of the swamp or creek it grows in. The roots are planted firmly in the mud beneath the water surface and is attached to a long stem with large circular leaves that float on the water surface. the pink lotus flower at the top end of the stem blooms early in the morning and wilt by the end of daylight. The fruit is a conical shaped pod with seeds arranged in the holes. The flower, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes are edible, while the big mature leaves are commonly used to wrap steamed food.

The lotus plant has great significance in Eastern religions and is especially sacred to Buddhism as it represents reincarnation.

The garden flower state definitives were re-issued on November 24, 2009 from the original ones issued on December 31, 2007. The major change between the original ones and the re-issued ones is the change of portrait of ruler for Negeri Sembilan, though the design of the other states remain similar. The orignal Negeri Sembilan garden flower state definitives employed the portrait of Tuanku Jaafar while the re-issued ones used the portrait of Tuanku Muhriz. Actually, there was a stamp issue to commemorate the installation of Tuanku Muhriz as the 11th Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on October 26, 2009.




Technical Details

Date of Issue : 24th November 2009

Stamp Value : 5s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s & 50sen

Sheet Content : 6 Stamps

Set of 14 Sheets

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Perforation 14

Paper : Watermarked SPM, Phosphor Coated

Printing : Process Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn. Bhd.

Designer : Dato Prof Raja Zahabuddin bin Raja Yaacob

Coronation of HRH Sultan of Negeri Sembilan Stamp

Stamps in honour of ruler

The first day covers and stamps to commemorate the installation of the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, will be launched today.

The commemorative stamps and first day covers launch will be held together with a royal exhibition at the Istana Lama Seri Menanti here.

The month-long exhibition, organised by the Negri Sembilan Museum Board (LMNS), will display photographs of the royal family and historical materials from the days of Tuanku Muhriz's father, the late Tuanku Munawir Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

LMNS director Shamsudin Ahmad said the stamps would be a valuable collection for local and foreign stamp enthusiasts, besides the opportunity to learn more about the royal family at the exhibition.

"This is of one of the most significant royal occasions in the state in many years.

"Visitors will get a glimpse into the life and history of Tuanku Muhriz and his family."


The exhibition will be open to the public from 9am to 6pm.

Among other events lined up for the royal celebration is a week-long handicraft carnival and exhibition of the state's history, which begins today at the Terachi Culture and Handicraft Centre, located near the palace.

Visitors and locals can also enjoy local films, including Jangan Pandang Belakang and Congkak, organised by the state National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) and Malaysian National Film Development Corporation at the Seri Menanti field.

The screenings start from 8pm today.

State JKKN deputy director Rahmat Md Noh said today's screening would be the first of a series of programmes, including cultural performances and concerts, lined up for the royal celebration.

The istiadat bersiram (royal bathing ceremony) will be held tomorrow, where Tuanku Muhriz and his consort, Tunku Ampuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, will be carried out of the Istana Besar Seri Menanti on a takhta rencana (royal carriage).

They will be taken to the panca persada (ceremonial dais), where the royal bathing ceremony, conducted by the orang empat istana (senior ceremonial officials), will take place.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 26th October 2009

Stamp Value : 30 sen, 50 sen RM1

Sheet Content : 20 Values

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Perforation : 14

Paper : Watermarked SPM, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn. Bhd.

Designer : Royal Malaysian Navy