Cik Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom binti Abdullah, formerly known as Sultanah Kalsom is the former Sultanah consort of Pahang as the 2nd wife of Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah. Born on 12 September 1951, she is originally of Persian and Pakistani descent. Prior to her marriage, she was an air stewardess for a prominent airline. Cik Puan Besar Hajah Kalsom married Sultan Ahmad Shah on 14 March 1991. She was titled Che Puan Kalsom on the day of her marriage and later became The Sultanah of Pahang, with the style of Her Royal Highness on 30 September 1992. She and the Sultan have a son together: His Highness Tengku Fahd Mu'adzam Shah Ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, the Tengku Arif Temenggong of Pahang. After her husband's death in May 2019, her stepson, Sultan Abdullah bestowed the title of Cik Puan Besar of Pahang or equivalent to a Queen Dowager.
Contributions
Cik Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom has been active with social causes and is a patron of numerous organisations, lending her presence to inspire those engaged in managing these organisations.
Yayasan Sri Kencana Kalsom
The Yayasan Sri Kencana Kalsom, named after her, provides shelter for single parents as well as women who have been victims of domestic abuse. The Yayasan helps these women rebuild their lives finding them jobs that enable them to be independent and lead their lives with dignity.
OrphanCARE
She is also Patron of OrphanCARE Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims in getting orphans adopted. OrphanCARE also set up Malaysia's first baby hatch for mothers to anonymously leave their unwanted newborns to be put up for adoption. She has given her full support to the organisation which has the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development as its smart partner.
As Patron of the Soroptimist Club of Kuantan, a gathering of professional women who pool their talents to assist the needy, Cik Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom works closely to guide the movement with her strong views on empowerment. Her concern for women stems from her personal philosophy that dreams must be pursued to the fullest and that women must be given every opportunity to realise their talents.
Cik Puan Besar Hajjah Kalsom is also an Honorary Member of The Sorority, an exclusive members-only club for inspiring professional women based in London, is considered an iconic inspirational woman who represents the modern, professional woman who is shaping the future with individual style and expression.
