The Sultan of Perak (, Jawi: ) is the constitutional monarch and head of state of the Malaysian state of Perak. It is one of the oldest hereditary seats among the Malay states. The current sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, has been in office since 29 May 2014.
When the Malacca Sultanate fell to Portugal in 1511, Sultan Mahmud Shah retreated to Kampar, Sumatra, and died there in 1528. He left behind two princes, Alauddin Riayat Shah II and Muzaffar Shah. The former established the Sultanate of Johor. Muzaffar Shah was invited to rule Perak, of which he became the first sultan.
Line of succession to the Perak throne
In contrast to the other Malay sultanates, the ruling dynasty of Perak utilises a somewhat complex order of succession.
The reigning sultan (Raja Pemerintah) appoints princes in the male line of descent from a sultan to certain high princely titles (raja-raja bergelar). They are arranged in an order of precedence indicating the order of succession to the throne. As per ruling of 25 February 1953, the present hierarchy of titles, current holders of these titles and the corresponding order of succession is as follows:
(Heir Apparent, currently Raja Jaafar) (Deputy Heir Apparent, currently Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain) (currently Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah) (currently Raja Ahmad Nazim Azlan Shah) (currently Raja Iskandar) (vacant)
While titleholders are usually appointed for life, titles may be revoked in cases of proven incompetence or disability. On the death or promotion of an existing titleholder, the holder of the next most senior title succeeds him. The is the heir apparent, and succeeds the ruling sultan on his death, whereupon the prince holding the title of becomes the new . The Raja Kechil Besar then becomes the . The new sultan may then appoint his own nominee to the junior-most title made vacant by these successions.
The 2 most senior titleholders are confirmed by a majority vote of the representatives of the Perak State Legislative Assembly.
List of sultans of Perak
Malacca-Perak dynasty + Sultans of Perak Name Reign 1 Muzaffar Shah I 1528–1549 2 Mansur Shah I 1549–1577 3 Ahmad Tajuddin Shah 1577–1584 4 Tajul Ariffin Shah I 1584–1594 5 Alauddin Shah 1594–1603 6 Mukaddam Shah 1603–1619 7 Mansur Shah II 1619–1627 8 Mahmud Shah I 1627–1630 9 Salehuddin Shah 1630–1636
Siak-Perak dynasty
Name Reign 10 Muzaffar Shah II 1636–1653 11 Mahmud Iskandar Shah 1653–1720 12 Alauddin Mughayat Shah 1720–1728 13 Muzaffar Riayat Shah III (Ruled Upper Perak) 1728–1752 14 Muhammad Mughayat Shah (Ruled Lower Perak) 1744–1750 15 Iskandar Zulkarnain 1752–1765 16 Mahmud Shah II 1765–1773 17 Alauddin Mansur Shah Iskandar Muda 1773–1786 18 Ahmaddin Shah 1786–1806 19 Abdul Malik Mansur Shah 1806–1825 20 Abdullah Mu’azzam Shah 1825–1830 21 Shahabuddin Riayat Shah 1830–1851 22 Abdullah Muhammad Shah I 1851–1857 23 Ja’afar Safiuddin Mu’azzam Shah 1857–1865 24 Ali Al-Mukammal Inayat Shah 1865–1871 25 Ismail Mu’abidin Riayat Shah 1871–1874 26 Abdullah Muhammad Shah II 1874–1876 27 Yusuf Sharifuddin Muzaffar Shah 1886–1887 (regent 1877–1886) 28 Idris Murshidul Azzam Shah 1887–1916 29 Abdul Jalil Karamatullah Nasiruddin Mukhataram Shah 1916–1918 30 Iskandar Shah 1918–193831Abdul Aziz Al-Mu'tasim Billah Shah1938–1948 32 Yussuf Izzuddin Shah 1948–1963 33 Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah 1963–1984 34 Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah 1984–2014 35 Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah 2014–present
Timeline
Royal regalia
The Perak royal regalia consists of items that are said to have been with the Perak Sultanate from its inception, some of which pre-dating the Malacca Sultanate. The regalia is mainly used during the installation ceremony of Sultan of Perak and few other royal ceremonies. Royal headress () Royal aigrette () Royal tiara Royal sword Cura Si Manja Kini () Royal blade Taming Sari () Royal blade Sari Gading () – also known as 'Ball of Petrified Dew'. Given to Sultan Muzaffar Riayat Shah I on his installation as the first Sultan of Perak by Tok Temong, a local official. – seal made of silver that is placed behind the right ear of the sultan during the installation ceremony. Royal Musical Ensemble () – golden armlets worn by the sultan and his consort around both arms during the installation ceremony. – golden pendant worn the queen consort during the installation ceremony. – golden brooch worn by the queen consort during the installation ceremony. Royal seal () Royal coat of arms ()
Royal umbrella () State umbrella () State spear () – decorative ornament worn around the neck of a tunic, believed to be a gift from the Emperor of China (presumably the Yongle Emperor) to Parameswara of Malacca.
– Betel leaves container. Originally presented to Tok Temong by Sultan Muzaffar Riayat Shah I on his installation as the first Sultan of Perak but later returned to be royal regalia of Perak.
Royal orders and decorations
The following is the orders, decorations, and medals given by Sultan of Perak. When applicable, post-nominal letters and non-hereditary titles are indicated.Colecciones Militares, Ribbons of Perak 1 & 2Sultan of Perak's Official Website, Decorations (Malay) The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Perak (): founded by Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah in 1957. Conferred on members of the Perak and foreign royal houses. The Most Esteemed Perak Royal Family Order of Sultan Azlan Shah (): founded by Sultan Azlan Shah in 2000. Conferred on members of the Perak and foreign royal houses. The Most Esteemed Azlanii Royal Family Order () founded by Sultan Azlan Shah in 2010. Awarded in two classes : First Class – Second Class – The Most Esteemed Perak Order of Sultan Azlan Shah (): founded by Sultan Azlan Shah in 2000. Conferred for distinguished services to the Sultan of Perak. The Most Esteemed Perak Order of Sultan Nazrin Shah (): founded by Sultan Nazrin Shah. The Most Illustrious Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (): founded by Sultan Idris Iskandar Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah II in 1969 and later 1989. Awarded in four classes: Grand Knight or Dato'Seri – Knight or Dato' – Commander or Ahli Paduka – Member or Ahli – The Most Valliant Order of Taming Sari (): founded by Sultan Idris Iskandar Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah II in 1977. Awarded to military and police personnel in six classes : Dato' Seri Panglima – Dato' Pahlawanan – Ahli Perwira – Ahli Hulubalang – Ahli Kesatria – Ahli Perajurit – The Most Illustrious Order of the Perak State Crown (): founded by Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah in 1957. Awarded in four classes: Knight Grand Commander or Dato' Seri – Knight Commander or Dato' – Commander or Ahli Paduka – Member or Ahli – The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (): instituted by Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah in 1951 as a reward for conspicuous gallantry and heroism. Awarded in a single class, originally a silver medal but now a four-pointed enamelled star. Bars may be awarded to signify subsequent acts of gallantry. The Distinguished Conduct Medal (): instituted by Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah in 1951 to reward conspicuous bravery. Awarded in a single class, bronze medal. Bars may be awarded to signify subsequent acts of bravery. The Meritorious Service Medal (): instituted by Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah in 1951 to reward meritorious public service in state employ. Awarded in a single class, bronze medal. The Long Service Medal (): instituted by Sultan Idris Iskandar Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah II in 1969 to reward long service in state employ of at least twenty-five years continuous duration. Awarded in a single class, bronze medal.
Genealogy tree
Sultan Muzaffar Shah II (1636–1654) – Marhum Jalilu'llah Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Shah (1654–1720), né Raja Mahmud, son of Sultan Mudzaffar Shah and Puteri Fatimah Puteh, grandson of Raja Abdullah and Puteri Perak, Great-grandson of Sultan Abdul Ghafor (Sultan Pahang 12) and Raja Bonda (daughter of Sultan Saiful Rijal, Sultan of Brunei) Paduka Sri Tuanku Sultan Mansur Shah, Yang di-Pertuan Muda. + before 1720, having had seven sons : Sultan Ala' ud-din Mughayat Ri'ayat Shah (1720–1728) – né Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja Radin, Raja Muda, Raja Kechil Bongsu. Raja Kechil Ampuan. oo ca. 1750, Sultan Mahmud Shah ibni al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Shah Aminu'llah, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Perak (d. 17 June 1773), third son of Sultan Muhammad Shah Aminu'llah, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Perak. Sultan Muzaffar Shah III Johan Berdaulat Per Alam Jalalu'llah (1728–1742 and 1750–1754) – Marhum Hajiu'llah, né Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja Inu, Raja Muda, of Bernam Raja 'Abdu'l-Jalil Raja Daha, Raja Kechil Muda. + after 1752, Sultan Muhammad Shah (1742–1750) – Marhum Aminu'llah, né Raja Vishnu [Raja Bisnu] Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain Inayat Shah (1754–1765) – Marhum Kaharu'llah, né Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja Iskandar, Raja Muda Raja 'Abdu'l Rahman ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain . b. at Istana Merchu 'Alam, Pulau Indira Sakti, ca. 1755 (s/o Raja Budak Rasul). Sultan Mahmud Shah II (1765–1773) – Marhum Muda, né Raja Saleh, Raja Kimas Raja Kechil Muda 1750, Heir Apparent (Tuanku Raja Muda, Wakil us-Sultan, Wazir ul-Azam) 1764. Removed his capital to Pasir Pulai, which he renamed Pulau Besar Indra Mulia. oo ca. 1750, the Raja Kechil Ampuan, Raja Ibrahim – al-Marhum Sayong, Raja Bendahara. Granted the title of Raja Kechil Muda, and prom. Raja Bendahara Wakil us-Sultan Wazir al-Kabir. Dead before 1786 Raja Mahmud, Raja Bendahara. Granted the title of Raja Kechil Bongsu Muda 1764, and prom. to Raja Bendahara Wakil us-Sultan Wazir al-Kabir 1786. Although the designated heir, he refused to come to Sulong to be recognised as ruler, leaving the body of his grand uncle unburied for three months, thus forfeiting the succession in 1792. Non dynastic descent Sultan Ala ud-din Mansur Shah (1773–1792) – Marhum Sulong, né Raja 'Ala ud-din, Raja Bendahara Raja Inu [al-Marhum Tengah], Raja Bendahara. Granted the title of Raja di-Hiler 1752, and prom. to Raja Bendahara 1773. m. (first) Raja Che' Puan Tengah, daughter of Raja 'Abdu'l-Hamid ibni al-Marhum Sultan Mansur Shah. m. (second) the Che Puan Bendahara, of Labu Kubang Lanih. He had issue, two sons and two daughters: Raja 'Abdu'l-Rahman bin Raja Inu (s/o Che' Puan Tengah). m. Raja Long Irang Juma'at binti Raja Chulan (she was k. by her husband as she came up from her bath), daughter of Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja Chulan bin Raja 'Abdu'l-Hamid, Raja Muda. He was k. by his father when about to run amok in the Palace. Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja Radin Shahidu'llah bin Raja Inu, Raja Muda . Granted the title of Raja Bendahara, and appointed as Heir Apparent with the title of Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja Muda, Wakil us-Sultan, Wazir ul-Azam 1786. m. Raja Chu binti Raja Chulan ['Ungku Chu], Raja Che' Puan Besar, younger daughter of Raja Chulan bin Raja 'Abdu'l-Hamid, Raja Muda. He was k. in an attack by Inche' Sadan, at Fort Kepas, 1842, having had issue, one son and two daughters: Raja 'Umar bin Raja Radin Shahidu'llah. Sultan Ahmaddin Shah (1792–1806) – Marhum Bongsu, né Raja Ahmad, Raja Kechil Bongsu Sultan Abdu'l-Malik Mansur Mu'azzam Shah (1806–1825) – Marhum Jamalu'llah, né Raja 'Abdu'l-Malik. Appointed to succeed his father three months after his death because the designated heir, Raja Bendahara Mahmud, would not come down to Sayong to be installed. Established his capital at Pasir Garam. Refused to accept Siamese sovereignty, but was forced to surrender to a large army sent by the Sultan of Kedah, on behalf of the Siamese King. Removed from exercising executive powers by the Sultan of Kedah, after 18 November 1818. Permitted to retain his titles for life, and forbidden from taking part in councils. Raja Taj ud-din. Regent for his younger brother 1818–1825. Sultan Abdu'llah Mu'azzam Shah (1825–1830) – Marhum Khalilu'llah, né Paduka Sri Tuanku Raja 'Abdu'llah, Raja Muda