Extra honour for King Shah Rukh!

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will have the honour of being the first Datukship recipient from Malacca to don the official state samping during a special investiture ceremony tomorrow.

The RM3,000(S$1260) specially-made black samping is adorned with kesidang flower motif and tied in the style of the late P. Ramlee to complete the baju melayu to be worn by Shah Rukh Khan.

Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaacob will confer the award at the Dewan Seri Negri in Ayer Keroh at 10am in a ceremony to be attended by 1,000 guests.

"This is the first time that we are using this particular songket for a Datukship recipient and Shah Rukh Khan will be first to wear the official samping," exco member in charge of human resources, health and consumer affairs Datuk Kapt (R) Abdul Karim Sulaiman told a press conference yesterday.

The samping is sponsored by Institut Seni Malaysia Melaka, whose representatives will help the actor put on the samping.

The RM550 baju melayu of Italian crepe is sponsored by Sovereign Wear Sdn Bhd. Managing director Huzry Fionnawatty Hussein said the baju melayu was tailored around the actor's estimated 5ft 8in frame.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that with declining tourist arrivals next year, Malacca would promote the state as an international film location.

"This will certainly help promote both Malaysia and Malacca," he said when contacted in Paris by mStar Online yesterday.

"What better time to launch it than in conjunction with the actor's visit?"

Mohd Ali was responding to the statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that tourist arrivals in the country was expected to fall.