Selangor Sultan marks silver jubilee with joyride flight for 149 orphans

Subang, on October 1 — Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and his consort, Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, recently treated 149 orphans to an unforgettable joyride flight, celebrating the Sultan’s 25th year on the throne. Their Royal Highnesses, alongside Raja Muda Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah, welcomed the children at Subang SkyPark, with Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, presiding over the event.

The Kembara Semenanjung Joyride Flight, involving children from 29 orphanages, heralded the month-long Selangor Sultan Silver Jubilee celebrations in October. The palace announced that the Boeing 737 MAX 8 flew the children on a one-hour journey, starting from Subang, traversing Penang airspace to Langkawi, before returning to Subang SkyPark.

Organized by Tourism Malaysia, coordinated by Selangor Youth Community (SAY) and Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE), the program aimed to provide the children with a unique travel and flying experience. The organizers hoped that exposure to new experiences, social interaction, and outdoor activities would enhance the children's confidence and motivate them to continue moving forward.

Additionally, the program sought to foster compassion, togetherness, and public awareness of the welfare and well-being of orphans, as well as strengthen ties among participants, organizers, volunteers, agencies, and the local community. The palace highlighted the program's role in instilling patriotism and deepening the understanding of the Selangor royal institution, as the presence of Their Royal Highnesses underscored the royal institution’s ongoing commitment to the welfare of orphans.

For 13-year-old Amirul Mukminin Tahir, the flight was his first time on a plane, describing the experience as dizzying yet enjoyable, as well as an opportunity to meet new friends. Similarly, 14-year-old Adam Adliemie Haziq Abdullah expressed his excitement at meeting the Sultan in person, noting that he had previously only encountered him through books or pictures.