KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — For Datuk P. Gunaseelan (pic), this year’s Federal Territory Day brought him double happiness as he was not only awarded with a Datukship but had a lifetime opportunity of meeting international movie star, Datuk Jackie Chan.
For the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Advisory Board member, he never expected that Jackie Chan would be sitting besides him in the two-hour investiture ceremony in conjunction with Federal Territories Day at Istana Negara held on 1st February.
Gunaseelan receiving his Datukship award from the King in conjunction with FT day celebrations
” I have never expected to be sitting next to him because one day earlier during the rehearsal, another person was seated in chair number 39. My chair was number 40,” he told Bernama recently.
Gunaseelan who received the Panglima Mangku Wilayah (PMW) award, which carries the title ‘Datuk’ from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mua’dzam Shah was pleasantly surprised to see Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong-born film star who was conferred the same award, came to sit besides him.
“I introduced myself and he introduced himself, and we had a very exciting conversation for two hours during the ceremony,” he said.
When asked about his feelings on receiving the award Jackie Chan told him that he was very excited, happy and thankful to receive such an esteem award from the Malaysian king.
Jackie Chan, now a Datuk
The superstar also admired the palace and commented that it was very grand and appreciated the king who stood for hours to give away the awards to more than 350 recipients, he added.
He said Jackie Chan also enquired the various titles awarded by the king, which he explained to him one by one, and the recipients of such awards.
Gunaseelan said Jackie Chan was very interested to learn about Malaysia’s traditions and culture, and stated that Malaysians were “very friendly and very co-operative”.
Jackie Chan also shared with Gunaseelan the updates of his new film ‘Dragon Blade’, an historical action film, which was expected to be released on the first day of the Chinese New Year.
“Jackie Chan said he will be back in the next two weeks to launch the film here,” he said.
Gunaseelan said, even though Jackie Chan was a superstar he found the actor to be a very humble, simple and down-to-earth person.
“During the 120 minutes spent with him he never stop smiling and answered all questions,” he added.
— BERNAMA
