Mural artists honoured as King and Queen visit site in Taman Cahaya Alam

SHAH ALAM: Three young artists received a royal reward when the King and Queen visited their mural site near here.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah visited the mural site at Taman Cahaya Alam Friday (July 10).

Accompanying the royal couple were their princesses Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan and Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafizatullah as well as their prince Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah.

The three artists, Muhammad Suhaimi Ali, 27; Muhamad Firdaus Nordin, 26; and Abdul Hadi Ramli, 27, painted the portraits of Sultan Abdullah, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang on the wall of a building.

Muhammad Suhaimi, who had conceptualised the plan, said he and his friends were both honoured and touched with the royal couple's gesture.

"Not only did the Yang di-Pertuan Agong give us a letter of commendation and a souvenir, but encouraged us as well.

"This means a great deal to young artists like us" said Muhammad Suhaimi.

He added he and his friends took about two days to complete each portrait.

Muhammad Suhaimi said their efforts were to show appreciation for the leaders who had kept the nation going strong during trying times.

Meanwhile, Comptroller of Royal Household of Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said in a statement the royal visit was Sultan Abdullah's personal initiative which was reflective of his concern for the nation's youths.

"It also showcases His Majesty's caring personality in reaching out to the three artists and appreciating their noble efforts, hard work and artistry, which has been well received," said Ahmad Fadil.

"Al-Sultan Abdullah has conveyed his hope that the efforts of the three artists will become an example, inspiration and example to the nation's youths to better appreciate leaders and the nation as well as make good use of their time," said Ahmad Fadil.

The royal family spent about 30 minutes at the site of the mural before having tea with the three artists at a nearby eatery. - Star