Islands & Beaches Of Malaysia Series II Stamp

On 17 December 2002, The International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded that sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan belongs to Malaysia. Both islands are highly attractive destinations waiting to be discovered.

Ligitan Island

Ligitan island is surrounded by very large reefs which forms the Ligitan group islands on the edge of the continental shelf. While Sipadan has achieved worldwide fame, Ligitan island is the great 'secret' of the international diving community. It is the thrill of diving in unexplored waters that brings the world's best divers here to sample Nature in her most pristine form.

The underwater scene here is completely different from Sipadan's. It is a macroworld of great interest featuring rare fauna including dragonets, fire gobies, wasp or leaf fish, gurnards, the odd 'little dragonfish' or seamoth, the tame crocodile fish, giant frogfish, blue-ringed octopus, ribbon eels, mantis shrimp and crab-eye gobies, to name just a few. Indeed, the Ligitan group is regarded as one of the world's top destinations for underwater nature photography. There is certainly no shortage of subject matter!

The many other unexplored reefs here offer great potential, and with the growth of a tourism infrastructure, this island will soon offer their delights to more and more travelers from around the world.

Sipadan Island

'I have seen other places like Sipadan-45 years ago-but no more. Now, we have found again an untouched piece of art.' That is how Jacques Costeau, the legendary French undersea explorer, described his first visit to Sipadan.

Little wonder the island is considered one of the tip five diving destinations in the world. It offers swirling tornados of barracudas, jacks and hammerhead sharks, schools of brilliantly-hued reef fish and dozens of sea turtles swimming placidly in the crystal-clear waters. More than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this richest of ecosystems.

Sipadan lies five degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea). Like many tropical islands it is heavily forested and surrounded by sandy beaches. Sipadan was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano, which rises 600 meters from the seabed.

A unique feature of Sipadan is the so-called 'turtle tomb', an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain the skeletons of turtles than became disoriented and then drowned. Divers can and do explore this cavern, but caution is advised!

April through October is the best time to visit. The rainy season is November to March. The water temperature ranges from 79 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (26oC to 30oC) year round.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 28 June 2003

Denomination : 30 sen (2 designs), 50 sen (2 designs)

Stamp Size : 40mm X 30mm

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM0.50 X 2

Miniature Sheet Size : 70mm X 100mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30mm X 40mm

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 stamps

Paper : Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography & Emboss


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Historical Place - Clock Towers Stamp

The existence of clock towers in every town in Malaysia portrays the recorded historical life of society and should be preserved for the future generation. Each unique architecture and attractive design makes us proud citizens of Malaysia.

Christ Church Clock Tower, Malacca

Situated right in the middle of Malacca Town, this clock tower built in 1650 is a fine example of Dutch architecture. Due to it's unique structure and historical significance, it is a popular spot for photography.

Teluk Intan Clock Tower

Standing at 25.5 meters right in the heart of Teluk Intan town, this clock tower appears comprising of eight levels but is actually three storey only. This pagoda-style structure was built in 1885 by Leong Choon Chong, a Chinese contractor and was originally used as a covered water tank.

Sungai Petani Clock Tower

Situated right in the middle of Jalan Ibrahim, this clock tower is of 60 feet in height and build-up area of 121 square feet. It was built in 1936 and donated by Lim Lean Teng to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary in London. However, it was later established as a memorial to King George V (1910-1936) as he passed away before the tower was completed.

Council Negeri Monument, Sarawak

A memorial stone was erected in 1967 and further enhanced in 1987 with a clock tower and fountain. All these, was to commemorate the centenary of Malaysia's first and oldest State Legislative Assembly Meeting in 1867. In that particular year, an inaugural gathering of five British officers and sixteen local chiefs of various races was held there.

Jubilee Clock Tower, Penang

This Moorish-style clock tower situated at the junction of Lebuh Light and Lebuh Pantai of 60 feet in height, one foot for each year of Queen Victoria's reign. It was a gift from local millionaire Cheah Chen Eok in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Technical Details

Date of Issue : 24th May 2003

Stamp Value : 30 sen x 5 Designs

Stamp Size : 30mm x 40mm

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Minature Sheet Size : 100mm x 70mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30mm x 40mm

Perforation : 14

Paper : Watermarked SPM, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn. Bhd.

Designer : Warna Ilham

Stamp Booklet Value :RM3.00

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Ornamental Fish - Fighting Fish Stamp

Betta Splendens

Betta splendens is a kind of fighting fish, which are produced through the cross-breeding of fighting fish from Malaysia, Thailand and Kampuchea. These cross-bred species is a very popular ornamental fish. They are not breed naturally in this country instead are bred using the standard Betta breeding techniques. Breeding and selection of commercial Betta splendens are actively pursued in this country. The new strains are actually originated from unattractive, greenish and short-finned fish that is still bred in Thailand for fighting. Hybridizations amongst different strains are commonly carried out to produce attractive new hybrids, in fact often resulting in brilliant colored Betta splendens with different shapes of fins. Betta splendens are usually peaceful with other fish of its own size. However, the males are very aggressive with one another. To prevent fighting, they are normally kept solitary in transparent small containers.

Local Fighting Fish (Betta Imbellis)

They are found in clear stagnant acidic water especially in paddy fields, rubber estates or coconut plantations. Quite peaceful among each other compared with the common fighting fish. Male is brightly colored with green to greenish blue scale. A prolific bubble-nest builder if supplied with live food. This species can easily be bred and adapt in an aquarium environment if provided with acidic cold water and a lot of vegetations.

Red Fighting Fish (Betta Coccina)

A very timid fighting fish is known as a dwarf Betta. The fish is endemic to highly acidic black water area. After conditioning the wild, the fish manage to tribe well in neutral aquarium water. The fish can spawn in the tank by providing a conducive environment and hiding place such as bogwoods or water vegetation. They spawn in hollow PVC tubes or submerged bogwood. A single pair can produced about 30 offspring.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 26th April 2003

Stamp Value : 30 sen, 50 sen & RM1 setenent

Stamp Size : 40mm x 30mm

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Miniature Sheet Size : 100mm x 70mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 34mm X 29mm

Stamp Value on Miniature Sheet : 50 sen x 2

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Perforation : 14

Paper : Watermarked SPM, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Hologram & Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn. Bhd.

Designer : Hazel Design

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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

Roses in Malaysia 2003 Stamp

Malaysia is famous for the beauty of its flora and fauna. Having an Equatorial climate enables Malaysia to enjoy the ideal weather for the cultivation of various plants and trees. One of the plants that flourish in Malaysia is the rose tree. Roses are probably the most popular flower in the country. It's frequently sought after as a symbol of remembrance during special days like anniversaries, birthdays and also during festive season.

Roses come in a variety of sizes and colors. Most of the roses found in Malaysia are fragrant though there are those which are odorless. Generally, roses need extra care in its cultivation. From its soil, fertilizer and insect repellant, all this information is vital in order to produce a beautiful and healthy blossom.

Rosa hybrida is the favorite species of rose in the country. Among popular breeds of Rosa hybrida is the hybrid team which is also the largest group of roses. They are either budded or grafted meaning they are not growing off their own rootstock. The complex hybridization process has resulted to the many colors, flower sizes and forms or roses.

Floribundas were produced by crossing Polyantha roses with Hybird Teas. Floribunda lives in a group and is suitable to be grown either on flowerbeds or in pots. This species normally grows between 3 to 5 feet high.

The Floribunda featured here is a rare species. Stripes, which appear on its petals, make it more unique, Floribundas can live in most climates and has a strong resistance in combating diseases that frequently attacks other species of roses. As the name suggests, the blossoms of Floribunda miniature is small in size and most of its plants can be categorized as shrubs, Due to its physical condition, it is perfect for containers, window boxes or patios. Only a few of these species are fragrant. This doesn't stop them from be admired for their beauty.

Rosa centifolia is one of two species of roses that can produce fragrant oil. The oil is quite pricy, as tonnes of its petals are needed just to produce a liter of oil. The oil is used by perfume and cosmetics manufacturer to obtain the rose fragrance in their products. Thorny like most species of roses, Rosa centifolia can grow until 8 feet high and are normally pink or yellow in color.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 22-Feb-2003

Stamp Value : 30 Sen ( 2 Designs); 50 Sen Setenant ( 2 Designs )

Stamp Size : 35mm X 35mm

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM3.00

Miniature Sheet Size : 70mm X 100mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 29.85mm X 40.8mm

Perforation : 14

Paper : Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Fragrant Ink

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value : RM3.00