The Star, December 12, 2007
Four experience first hand Sultan’s graciousness
KLANG: Four recipients experienced first hand Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s graciousness and benevolence at the awards ceremony in conjunction with his 62nd birthday yesterday.
The Sultan came down from the royal dais to confer awards to the four – the elderly Mother Mangalam Iyaswamy Iyer and Sister Enda Ryan, and wheel-chair bound Datuk Mufti Suib and Othman Ismail.
Mufti, who is the Ampang Umno division chief, received the Darjah Kebesaran Datuk Setia Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (SSIS), which carries the title Datuk Setia, while Othman, who is honorary secretary of the Selangor Malay Chamber of Commerce, received the Ahli-Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (AIS) award.
Both Pure Life Society’s Mother Mangalam and Assunta Secondary School founder principal Sister Enda received the Darjah Kebesaran Dato’ Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS) award which carries the title Datin Paduka for women.
Noticing that having to climb five steps up the dais would be trying for Mother Mangalam, 81, and Sister Enda, 79, the Sultan came to them instead.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also present at the ceremony to witness his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah receiving the highest award for commoners.
Jeanne, who heads this year’s awards list, received the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (SPMS) which comes with the title Datin Paduka Seri.
Among the recipients were The Star’s head of crime desk, Lourdes Joseph Charles, who received the Darjah Kebesaran Ahli Mahkota Selangor (AMS) along with 14 others.
In his pledge of allegiance speech, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the state’s economic growth for 2008 was expected to increase by 6.6 % after charting 6.3% growth this year.
According to Dr Mohd Khir, the industrial sector remained the main contributor to the state’s economy.
“The industrial sector in the state will be further promoted to ensure that Selangor remains the focus of main investments,” he said.
Dr Mohd Khir also said the state government had adhered to the Sultan’s advice in strengthening the delivery system at all levels in the state civil service.