Reaching out to the rakyat via social media
WANTING the people of Selangor to be in touch with the activities of the state’s royal family, the Selangor palace initiated a social media blitz in 2017.
According to Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s press secretary Azrul Amila Amir, the Selangor palace started establishing its social media platforms through Facebook (Selangor Royal Office), Instagram (Selangor Royal Official), Twitter (@Selangorroyal) and Wordpress (selangorroyaloffice.wordpress.com).
“The main objective of creating these social media platforms is to keep the people of Selangor informed about all the official duties and activities involving Tuanku, (Tengku Permaisuri Selangor) Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda Tengku Amir Shah,’’ said Azrul.
He added that apart from updates on official duties and activities, all press releases and announcements from the Selangor palace were also uploaded to these social media sites.
“Tuanku’s speeches and decrees will also be uploaded from time to time on our Wordpress blog,” said Azrul.
He added that it has always been Sultan Sharafuddin’s desire to keep the people informed about the official duties and events he attends.
“He also wants to be connected to the rakyat through his decrees during events which are published on our social media platforms so that the rakyat can know in detail what he wants to convey,” he said.
Azrul, who currently handles the Selangor palace’s social media and media relations, updates the platforms with the help of two photographers.
He explained that some of the content and captions will first be presented to Sultan Sharafuddin for his consent before being uploaded.
“Tuanku always gives his ideas and suggestions on how to improve our social media presentation and make it more interesting.
“He is very particular about the captions as he wants to ensure that the rakyat gets all the information correctly,’’ said Azrul.
On how he carries out the work for the social media sites, Azrul said he first plans ahead the possible content for each week based on the schedules of Sultan Sharafuddin, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Tengku Amir Shah.
After that, selected activities are broadcast real-time on Facebook or Instagram Stories.
“All activities will be posted on the same day or the day after depending on its importance.
“Apart from Tuanku’s official duties, we will include posts on historical facts about Selangor royal customs or relevant trivia from time to time,’’ said Azrul.
He added that the ultimate aspiration was to make the Selangor palace’s media platforms the main reference for the rakyat to get the latest information on the Selangor royal family’s activities as well as knowledge on the Selangor Sultanate.
The Selangor Royal Office Facebook Timeline can be accessed at https://www. facebook.com/selangorroyaloffice/
Tuanku always gives his ideas and suggestions on how to improve our social media presentation and make it more interesting.
Azrul Amila Amir