HOW DO YOU SEND A LETTER TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS (IN MALAYSIA CONTEXT)

 When it comes to matters of Royal etiquette and protocol, I know that many have voiced their unease with me. Nevertheless, I feel it is necessary for me to make a small note of advice.

Once, a relative of mine sought my assistance in drafting a letter to His Royal Highness the Sultan of one particular state, inviting His Majesty to grace an event with his presence.

Before I agreed to assist in drafting the letter, I first contacted the Protocol Division of the Sultan’s Office of that state, to seek advice on etiquette and protocol particularly with respect to the proper form of address to His Royal Highness through HH’s Private Secretary.

I also sought a second opinion from members of the Royal household through the State’s Royal Association. At the same time, I took the initiative to download gazettes, bulletins, circulars, and any available documents on etiquette and protocol, especially on the correct use of Royal language.

Thank God, the letter I assisted in drafting received a positive response from the Palace esp HRH The Sultan, who graciously sent his representatives, the Honourable YM Tengku Dato’......, at time the President of the State’s Royal Association.

When the Royal delegation arrived, the Honourable Tengku, Secretary of the Association, asked: “Who wrote this letter?” The Managing Director then pointed towards me and introduced me, as I was also present as a guest at the ceremony. At that moment, I was filled with nervousness, worried lest there had been any breach of protocol.

The Honourable YM Tengku Secretary then asked me:

"Nik, are you the Secretary of any Royal Association?"

I shook my head and replied:

"No, Tengku. This (patik) humble self merely assisted in drafting the letter."

Upon hearing this, the Honourable YM Tengku Dato’, President of the State Royal Association, remarked to the Managing Director that individuals like me should rightly be the point of reference when sending formal letters or invitations to members of the Royal household especially to HRH the Sultan. I felt deeply honoured.

I hope that this short note of mine may serve as some form of guidance. I am not of Royal blood, but I take pride in the fact that my parents instilled in me sufficient training and understanding of court customs, etiquette, and protocol concerning the Royal household, nobility, and dignitaries of the State.

How Gratitude & Growth Changed My Life - Nik Zafri

 

Quantum Computing: Malaysia’s Next Leap - Nik Zafri's Overview

 

1.0 WHAT IS IT ANYWAY?

Here's a "simple" way of explaining it? (the "geeks" will understand :-)

Classical computers rely on bits (0s and 1s) to process information. Quantum computers use qubits, which can be 0, 1, or both at the same time thanks to two principles of quantum mechanics:

• Superposition - A qubit can exist in multiple states simultaneously,
• Entanglement - Qubits can be linked, so changing one instantly affects the other, no matter the distance.

This means quantum computers don’t just process faster they can explore a vast number of possibilities simultaneously, solving problems that would take classical supercomputers centuries.

2.0 POTENTIAL

Let me provide you with the 3 good examples :

i) Banking and Finance - which relies on Monte Carlo simulations to assess market risk, fraud detection, and portfolio optimization. Quantum algorithms can run these simulations exponentially faster. e.g. One investment bank could use quantum systems to price complex derivatives in seconds instead of hours, giving real-time insights into market volatility.

ii) Logistics - Malaysia’s manufacturing and port sectors (e.g., Port Klang, Penang Port) depends on efficient routing and supply chains. Quantum computing can optimize routes for trucks, ships, and flights simultaneously, cutting costs and fuel. e.g. A logistics provider like Pos Malaysia could optimize last-mile delivery during festive surges, reducing delays and operational costs.

iii) Cybersecurity - Quantum poses a paradox - it can break today’s encryption (RSA, ECC) but also provide quantum-safe encryption. Malaysia’s banks, telcos, and government agencies must prepare for “Q-Day” (the day quantum breaks classical security),

3.0 CATCHING UP?

Malaysia is not starting from zero. We have:

• Talent pipelines through UM, USM, UKM, and MMU in physics, engineering, and computer science,
• Growing AI ecosystem (Malaysia AI Roadmap 2021–2025) that can integrate with quantum research,
• Regional collaboration opportunities with Singapore, which already invested heavily in quantum research hubs.

4.0 CHALLENGES

High cost of quantum infrastructure, limited R&D funding, and brain drain. But Malaysia could leapfrog by :

• Partnering with global players (IBM Q Network, Google Quantum AI, Alibaba Cloud Quantum Lab),
• Encouraging public-private partnerships to pilot quantum solutions in finance and logistics,
• Training a workforce that blends quantum physics with computer science and industry know-how.

4.1 Sub-Topic : What about Data Center?

Yes, what about it? Some questions being posed at me during my visit to tech exhibitions.

a. Quantum as a Service (QaaS) - As mentioned above, quantum computers are expensive and delicate (they need cryogenic cooling close to absolute zero). Instead of everyone buying their own quantum hardware, they’ll be hosted in specialized quantum data centers, accessed via the cloud.

I foresee :

• Malaysia could attract investment by becoming an ASEAN hub for quantum cloud hosting,
• Local industries (finance, logistics, oil & gas) can then access quantum capabilities without owning the machines.

b. Data Center Optimization with Quantum

• Data centers face massive energy consumption challenges,
• Quantum algorithms can optimize power usage, cooling systems, and server workloads.

e.g. A quantum-powered model could balance workloads across servers more efficiently than current AI, cutting electricity costs in large centers like those in Johor.

c. Cybersecurity for Data Centers

• Data centers store critical data (banking, healthcare, government).
• Quantum threatens current encryption methods making post-quantum cryptography essential for data centers to stay secure.

Malaysia’s MDEC and CyberSecurity Malaysia could certify quantum-ready data centers to attract foreign investors.

d. Data Processing and AI Integration

• Data centers already power AI and big data analytics,
• Quantum accelerates certain computations (e.g., database searches, pattern recognition).

e.g A Malaysian data center serving logistics clients could use quantum-assisted optimization to speed up supply chain simulations across ASEAN.

e. Malaysia’s Edge

Malaysia is already an attractive site for data centers due to affordable energy, land, and submarine cable connectivity.

By integrating quantum R&D partnerships (with IBM, Alibaba, or Singapore), Malaysia can jump into the Quantum Data Center Era.

5. CONCLUSION

Quantum computing will not replace classical computing but complement it in areas where classical machines struggle. For Malaysia, the choice is clear: stay as a consumer of global solutions, or invest early and shape the narrative in ASEAN.

Quantum computers won’t replace data centers, but data centers will become the gateway to access quantum computing worldwide.

The next leap may not be in decades, it could be within the next 5 to 10 years.

Malaysia has caught up before, look at how we adopted mobile tech, fintech, and renewable energy.

The question is: ARE WE READY TO TAKE THE QUANTUM LEAP?