Birthday Of The Sultan Of Selangor
Observed annually as one of the five mandatory state holidays in Selangor, Malaysia, the Birthday of the Sultan of Selangor is a state holiday observed on December 11th. This holiday celebrates the birthday of Sultan Sharafuddin, who is the state’s current monarch and the ninth consecutive sultan of the Bugis Dynasty.
Malaysia (Common local holiday)This dynasty dates back to the mid-18th century and is believed to have originated in Sulawesi, in what is now known as Indonesia. Today, December 11th is celebrated as a public holiday—a day that gives most people time off and one on which many schools, businesses, and government offices are closed.
The History of the Birthday of the Sultan of Selangor
The date of this holiday is honorific, and it does not change when a new sultan ascends the throne. That is why it is still observed on December 11th, even though the current sultan, Sultan Sharafuddin, was born on December 24th, 1945.
He is the ninth and current sultan of Selangor and ascended the throne on November 22nd, 2001, after succeeding Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, his father. Sharafuddin received his primary education in Kuala Lumpur at the Malay Primary School.
He then attended St. John’s Institution, an all-boys school in Kuala Lumpur, from 1954 through 1959. His father became the Sultan of Selangor in 1960, and Sharafuddin was sent to Hale School in Perth, Australia, to further his education.
He later attended Langhurst College in Surrey, U.K. When he returned from the U.K. in 1968, he became a public servant and was attached to the Selangor State Secretariat. On November 22nd, 2001, he became the Sultan of Selangor after his father’s death.
Observing the Birthday of the Sultan of Selangor
Not only is this a day off for many people in Selangor, but it is also a day observed with many festivities. There are parades, cultural exhibitions, political speeches, and other state-sponsored events. There are also programs aired on television for all residents to enjoy.
Malaysia (Common local holiday)
