Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah is a famous educator in Malaysia, playing a major role in community support and social welfare activities.
On January 31, the Sultan of Johor Ibrahim Iskandar was sworn in as the King of Malaysia. He is a famous businessman, one of the richest people in the country with a fortune of 5.7 billion USD including many luxury cars, real estate, and businesses.
He married Princess Raja Zarith Sofiah in 1982, and had six children. She was the third child of Sultan Idris Shah II, ruler of the Malaysian state of Perak.
The new queen is passionate about education. She is a principal, a writer who has published four children's books and written editorials for newspapers. She is fluent in five languages, including Malay, Chinese, English, French and Italian, and is a pioneer in promoting English learning in Malaysia.
Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah at a meeting in 2020. Photo: Johor Royal
Queen Raja was born in 1959. After studying in Malaysia, she moved to England to attend the prestigious Cheltenham Girls' School. The Queen then studied at Somerville College, Oxford University, graduating with a BA in Chinese Studies in 1983 and a MA in 1986.
In 2012, she founded the YRZSNJ Foundation, which aims to connect communities through educational initiatives in Malaysia and overseas, based on "mutual respect for differences in faith and ethnicity". The Foundation actively implements programs to nurture the next generation.
Queen Raja currently holds the title of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). She has spoken at academic conferences around the world and has welcomed world leaders to educational institutions in Malaysia, including Camilla, now Queen of England.
"At the age of over 60, I still have a lot to learn," said the Queen of Malaysia.
The new King and Queen of Malaysia with their family, May 2020. Photo: Johor Royal Family
In addition to educational activities, she Raja is deeply concerned about the welfare of the people and is deeply involved in various charities and NGOs. She is currently the royal advisor to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the chairperson of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.
She launched the Bangsa Johor Bahagia Programme, which supports the B40, the highest income group in the state. She also started the Because We Care fund to ensure the welfare of students in this group at UTM.
Thanks to her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life of the community, the University of Nottingham in the UK awarded her an honorary degree that same year, marking international recognition.
The Queen of Malaysia also inherited her father's passion and talent for art, especially painting. Her works have been introduced and displayed at many exhibitions.
Queen Raja receives a gift of freshly harvested eggplants from low-income resident Mr Loh in 2023. Photo: Star
A few months ago, Queen Raja and many officials unexpectedly visited the poor family of Loh Chai Hwee and his wife in a small house in Kampung Api Api village, Selangor state.
"The Queen took the time to talk to us and understand our situation. She gave us a set of furniture and repaired our house, and even paid our electricity and water bills," said Mr Loh, 80.
Mr. Loh earns about $63 a month selling vegetables and bananas. The couple has no children and his wife, 76, often suffers from knee pain.
"They are very kind. We are very proud that Sultan Ibrahim and Madam Raja have been crowned King and Queen of Malaysia. They will definitely help the people, not only in Johor but all Malaysians," he said.
Duc Trung (According to Mail, New Straits Times, Star )
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