Malaysia's New Stamp Release

Malaysia issued today a new stamp that will honor His Royal Highness Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'-adzam on Monday, July 14, 2008. He has served as Sultan since 1958. A grand celebration called the Golden Jubilee will follow on July 15th. Celebrations and the release of the stamps will commemorate his 50 year reign of the state of Kedah.

Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'-adzam was first elected as Deputy King and then King two times before becoming their Sultan. He is currently the 4th longest reigning head of state worldwide. He holds the title of the twenty-eighth Sultan of Kedah. The title of Sultan is an Islamic title. It is used as a title of certain Muslim rulers who lack dependence of any higher ruler.

The stamps are available in sheets of 22. The stamps come in three different designs. One stamp depicts Kedah as an agricultural state, where the rice paddy is the main source of income, resulting in Kedah being known as the National Rice Bowl. One stamp depicts the old Office of the State Secretary with a water fountain in the background that was built before the 25 year Jubilee. The last one is an illustration of modern-day Alor Star. There are limited edition folders that include first day covers and a set of stamps available.

If you are interested in purchasing these stamps, contact: http://www.pos.com/, or call 03-2275 6569 for more information about these stamps.