Selangor Ruler’s image in gold and silver
NATION
Tuesday, 23 Jan 2018
Honoured guests: Sultan Sharafuddin and Najib taking a closer look at the pure gold bars refined by Demi Idaman Sdn Bhd after the unveiling of the commemorative gold and silver coins of Sultan Sharafuddin in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on are Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Rosmah.
KUALA LUMPUR: The image of Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has been imprinted on newly-minted commemorative gold and silver coins.
The half ounce and one ounce pure gold coins, each with 999.9 purity, and silver coins of 999 purity also bear the Sultan’s personal royal crest.
The coins were unveiled in conjunction with the introduction of pure gold bars refined by Demi Idaman Sdn Bhd.
Demi Idaman vice-chairman Datuk Azli Abdul Rahman said the company decided to mint the pure gold and silver coins to mark its foray into the global gold market.
“We minted the coins to ensure they bear the latest or contemporary image of the Sultan.
“The palace selected a photograph of the Sultan for us and we were told it was one of the Sultan’s favourites,” he said after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak unveiled them yesterday.
Also present at the ceremony were Sultan Sharafuddin, his consort Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin Abdul Rahman and Raja Muda Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Azli said the company took 10 days to produce the 3D laser cut coins, which are sold between RM150 and RM6,400.
Earlier, Najib lauded the company for operating the nation’s first accredited gold refinery.
“Now, with the development of our first commercial gold refinery, we have the ability to process gold, from the smelting phase through refinement, within Malaysia,” he said during his speech.
Najib said this initiative came from the KL Gold Programme, which he launched in 2014 to drive Muslim participation in the gold industry.
The Prime Minister added that gold has always played an important role for the nation, with the precious metal used not merely as jewellery and in trade, but also to produce critical high technology components.
“While gold prices may fluctuate, the underlying confidence that individuals, financial institutions, central banks and governments have in gold is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
“That is why it is so important that we continue to encourage the growth of the industry in Malaysia,” he said.
Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, later witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Demi Idaman, Sirim Bhd and PX Precinox SA Switzerland, a renowned global gold producer.
