The Sultan of Perak is the constitutional monarch and head of state of 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 Sultanate of Malacca empire 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 went on to establish the Sultanate of Johor. Muzaffar Shah was invited to rule Perak, and he became the first Sultan of Perak.

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 appoints princes in the male line of descent from a sultan to certain high princely titles. 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 and the corresponding order of succession is as follows: 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

Malacca-Perak dynasty

Siak-Perak dynasty

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 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.

Genealogy tree

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. 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, 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: '''Proclaimed in Kuala Kangsar, 29 May 2014. Crowned at the Balairong Seri, Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, 6 May 2015'''. Rcvd: DK, DKSA (18.4.2005), SPCM (19.4.1986), SPTS (19.4.1989), SPMP of Perlis, DK II of Selangor (13.12.2003), etc. m. at the Balai Istiadat, Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, 17 May 2007, Tuanku Zara binti Salim, Raja Puan Besar (b. at Ipoh, 22 March 1973), invested with the title of Raja Puan Besar 18 May 2007, rcvd: DKSA (18.5.2007), DKA.