Yang di-Pertuan Agong greets the President of USA

In conjunction with the 3-days State visits of the President of USA, Malaysia pull all the stops as the country of 30 million people greets the US President, Barrack Obama with a 'red-carpet' treatment. As Malaysia wished "Selamat Datang" to the President of USA which meant "Welcome" in Malay, a red carpet was rolled out during the official welcoming ceremony at Parliament Square last Saturday. Also present at the ceremony were Their Majesties the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Hajah Haminah of Kedah. Also present were the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abd Razak and his Deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin.

Obama later inspected the Guard-of-Honour mounted by 107 officers and men from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Amriza Mohd Asshari. The ceremony marked by a 21-gun salute. The President of USA visits to Malaysia is a part of Obama's four-nation of Asia is a first by a sitting US president in 48 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson's in 1966. Obama had visited Japan and South Korea, the final of his Asia's trip is the Philippines.

The President's later was invited to the official State Banquet held at Istana Negara at night. In the banquet, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his royal address has expressed Malaysia's gratitude for the United States's unwavering support and cooperation in the search operation of the lost Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. The Supreme Ruler also stated that he was pleased to see the ties between Malaysia and the US gaining so much traction, as over the years, their common interests and shared values had flourished. His Majesty then concluded in his speech with hope that President Obama would enjoy Malaysia's hospitality and return to the US with fond memories of the country. "We hope your visit to Malaysia is both meaningful and memorable. We pray for your continued good health, as well as that of your family, and for the people of the US".

Royalty and the citizen ; The royal circumcision and piercing ceremony

The children of Tengku Muda of Pahang from left :- Tengku Eddie Akasya, Tengku Ameera Asya and Tengku Ahmad Firman Shah

April 20, 2014 - Over 40,000 people gathered at the Istiadat Raja Bersama Rakyat in conjunction of the royal circumcision and piercing ceremony of the children of His Royal Highness the Tengku Muda of Pahang, Tengku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang that has been done for the first time ever at Dataran Temerloh, last night. The ceremony was attended by Their Royal Highnesses the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah and Sultanah Kalsom of Pahang. Also attended the ceremony were His Royal Highness the Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah and members of Pahang Royal Family. Also present were The Honourable Menteri Besar of Pahang, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and wife, Datin Seri Junaini Kassim.

The ceremony was done according to Pahang royal customs and the children of Tengku Muda, Her Highness Tengku Ameera Asya and Their Highnesses Tengku Eddie Akasya and Tengku Ahmad Firman Shah were paraded on elephants in the royal procession of 20 meter long to the royal chamber for Merenjis ceremony. The arrival of the royal procession were greeted with the welcoming dances and the merenjis ceremony was started by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang. After the ceremony, the children of Tengku Muda consented to mingle with the audiences. His Highness Tengku Ahmad Firman Shah stated that, the ceremony is meaningful to him and he will never forget.

The consort of Tengku Muda, Her Highness the Cik Puan Muda of Pahang, Julita Aishah stated, the ceremony was organized accordance to the Tengku Muda's wish who wanted to show the people of Pahang the side of Pahang royal customs that never shown to public.

MH370 ; Several reactions from Malaysian States Rulers and Governor

The lost of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has received various reactions either inside or outside of the country. As it has becomes an international concerns, several international media has slammed how Malaysia handled the case, including several accusations of mismanagement and lack of coordination. As the case takes longer and longer time to solve, not to mention the lost flight is still yet to be found, patience has grew thinner and thinner by the passing day. In Malaysia, several States Rulers has stated their opinion regarding the matter.

On April 7, 2014, His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in his royal address during the State Opening session of Selangor State Assembly, expressed his sympathy over the disappearance of MH370. "I pray that the search will have a definite and satisfying answer for all parties, especially to those who are waiting for news. I hope the Malaysian Government will continue the search to find the right answer to the tragedy and I hope they will be patience in facing this dire situation". He said when opening the first meeting of the second session of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.

On April 10, 2014, His Excellency the Yang Dipertua Negeri (Governor) of Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin also expressed his sympathy over the lost Malaysian airliner. "Let us pray and hope that the families of the passengers and crews will have the patience and courage to face the situation". He said when opening the first meeting of the second session of Sabah State Legislative Assembly.

On April 11, 2014, His Royal Highness the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir and her royal consort, Her Royal Highness the Tengku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani as well as the citizens of Negeri Sembilan are deeply concerned and express regrets over the incident of MH370. "I hope family members of the passengers and crew of the aircraft will be strong in facing the challenge and fate", he said when opening the First meeting of the second session of Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly seating. In the same session, the Negeri Sembilan State Assembly unanimously passed a special motion on MH370 tabled by the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Monarchs of the world

In today segment, we will witness the countries which are ruled by Monarchs. Until this article were posted, there are officially 44 countries with a monarch as Head of State. Here is the list of the World's monarchs still reign today.


JAPAN

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan

Consort : Her Imperial Highness Empress Michiko

Monarch since : 7th January 1989

CAMBODIA

His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni

Consort : -

Monarch since : 14th October 2004

THAILAND

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Sirikit

Monarch since : 9th June 1946

MALAYSIA

His Majesty Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah

Consort : Her Majesty Tuanku Hajah Haminah

Monarch since (Malaysia) : 13th December 2011

Monarch since (Kedah) : 13th July 1958

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Muizaddin Waddaulah

Consort : Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha

Monarch since : 4th October 1967

BHUTAN

His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk

Consort : Her Majesty the Druk Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema

Monarch since : 9th December 2006

OMAN

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Consort : ??

Monarch since : 23rd July 1970

SAUDI ARABIA

His Majesty the custodian of two holy mosques

Abdullah bin Abd Aziz

Consort : ??

Monarch since : 1st August 2005

BAHRAIN

His Majesty King Hamad Ibn Isa Al-Khalifa

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Sabika binti Ibrahim

Monarch since : 6th March 1999

QATAR

His Majesty Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

Consort : Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al-Thani & Anoud bint Mana Al-Hajr

Monarch since : 25th June 2013

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

His Highness President Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan

Consort : Shamsa binti Suhail Al-Mazrouei

Monarch since : 3rd November 2004

KUWAIT

His Highness Emir Sabah Al Ahmad

Consort : -

Monarch since : 29th January 2009

JORDAN

His Majesty King Abdullah II

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Yassin

Monarch since : 7th February 1999

MOROCCO

His Majesty King Mohammed VI

Consort : Her Majesty Princess Lalla Salma

Monarch since : 23rd July 1999

SWAZILAND

His Majesty King Mswati III

Consort : currently have 15 wives

Monarch since : 25 April 1986

LESOTHO

His Majesty King Letsie III

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso

Monarch since : 7th February 1996

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
AND 16 COMMONWEALTH REALMS

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Consort : His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh

Monarch since : 6th February 1952

SPAIN

His Majesty King Juan-Carlos I

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Sophia

Monarch since : 22nd November 1975

MONACO

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II

Consort : Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene

Monarch since : 6th April 2005

ANDORRA

His Serene Highness Joan Enric Vives I Sicilia (Co-Prince)

Monarch since : 12th May 2003

His Excellency François Hollande (Co-Prince) ex-officio as President of France

Co-monarch since : 15th May 2012

LIECHTENSTEIN

His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II

Consort : Countess Marie Kinsky

Monarch since : 13 November 1989

LUXEMBOURG

His Serene Highness Grand Duke Henri

Consort : Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Monarch since : 7th October 2000

BELGIUM

His Majesty King Phillipe

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Mathilde

Monarch since : 21st July 2013

NETHERLANDS

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander 

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Maxima

Monarch since : 30th April 2013

NORWAY

His Majesty King Harald V

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Sonja

Monarch since : 17th January 1991

SWEDEN

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf 

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Silvia

Monarch since : 15th September 1973

DENMARK

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II

Consort : His Royal Highness Henrik, Prince Consort

Monarch since : 14th January 1972

VATICAN CITY

His Holiness Pope Francis I

Monarch since : 13th March 2013

TONGA

His Majesty King Tupou VI

Consort : Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho

Monarch since : 18th March 2012