The Sultan of Perak (Malay: Sultan Perak, Jawi: سلطان ڤيراق) 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.
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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:
Raja Muda (Heir Apparent, currently Raja Jaafar)
Raja di-Hilir (Deputy Heir Apparent, currently Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain)
Raja Kecil Besar (currently Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah)
Raja Kecil Sulong (currently Raja Ahmad Nazim Azlan Shah)
Raja Kecil Tengah (currently Raja Iskandar)
Raja Kecil Bongsu (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 Raja Muda is the heir apparent, and succeeds the ruling sultan on his death, whereupon the prince holding the title of Raja Di-Hilir becomes the new Raja Muda. The Raja Kechil Besar then becomes the Raja Di-Hilir. 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
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 (Tanjak Di-Raja)
Royal aigrette (Aigrette Di-Raja)
Royal tiara
Royal sword Cura Si Manja Kini (Pedang Cura Si Manja Kini)
Royal blade Taming Sari (Keris Taming Sari)
Royal blade Sari Gading (Keris Sari Gading)
Mestika Embun – 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.
Mohor Kecil Cap Halilintar – seal made of silver that is placed behind the right ear of the sultan during the installation ceremony.
Royal Musical Ensemble (Nobat)
Pontoh – golden armlets worn by the sultan and his consort around both arms during the installation ceremony.
Agok – golden pendant worn the queen consort during the installation ceremony.
Dokoh – golden brooch worn by the queen consort during the installation ceremony.
Royal seal (Mohor Raja)
Royal coat of arms (Jata Di-Raja)
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.
The Most Esteemed Royal Family Order of Perak (Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati): 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 (Darjah Kerabat Seri Paduka Sultan Azlan Shah Perak Yang Dihormati): founded by Sultan Azlan Shah in 2000. Conferred on members of the Perak and foreign royal houses.
The Most Esteemed Azlanii Royal Family Order (Darjah Kerabat Azlanii Yang Dihormati) founded by Sultan Azlan Shah in 2010. Awarded in two classes :
First Class – Darjah Kerabat Azlanii
Second Class – Darjah Kerabat Azlanii II
The Most Esteemed Perak Order of Sultan Azlan Shah (Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Sultan Azlan Shah Perak Yang Amat Dimulia): 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 (Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Sultan Nazrin Shah Perak Yang Amat Dimulia): founded by Sultan Nazrin Shah.
The Most Illustrious Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Paduka 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 – Darjah Dato' Seri Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini
Knight or Dato' – Darjah Dato' Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini