Sirajus Siyadah: Silver Jubilee of The Raja of Perlis

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, who was the elected King of Malaysia from 2001 to 2006, celebrates his 82nd Birthday today (17 May 2025). He succeeded his father as Raja (or king) of Malay Northernmost & smallest state, Perlis, 25 years ago, on 17 April 2000. One month ago (Thursday, 17 April 2025) his Silver Jubilee celebrations on his subterritorial kingdom's throne began with a Royal banquet, attended by fellow Malay Rulers and His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei (the world's longest-reigning Monarch & Head of State). A wide variety of festive events followed throughout the month, celebrating The Ruler's lifelong contributions to education, religious teachings, and the Armed Forces, and he presided over the state opening of Perlis's Legislative Assembly - an autonomous body, highly influenced by The Monarch. Sirajuddin, who is using a wheelchair full-time after undergoing a surgery to repair his left leg & ankle in 2023, has been supported by his Consort Raja Perempuan (Queen) Tuanku Tengku Faudziah, 78, their son Raja Muda (Crown Prince) Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, 57, daughter-in-law Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah & grandchildren for the entire of celebrations, which are expected to last until April 16, 2026.

The official logo for The Silver Jubilee Celebrations was unveiled on 21 February 2025 by The Raja of Perlis, in presence of The Raja Muda Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail at his namesake Mosque, in Kuala Perlis (capital city). April 17 was declared a public holiday in Perlis, in accordance with the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369). A statement was released, explaining the meaning of 'seven unique elements', featured in the logo:

The 'Tengkolok Putra Julang Darjat' - official headgear of The Raja - represented "sovereignty, greatness & heritage of the royal institution". The Arabic calligraphical inscription for Silver Jubilee, reflected the Islamic heritage. The golden number 25 symbolized the King's two and a half decades of reign. The gold ring, encircling the logo with the official text: "SAMBUTAN JUBLI PERAK PEMERINTAHAN DYMM TUANKU SYED SIRAJUDDIN JAMALULLAIL, RAJA PERLIS" - represented the commitment to a 'peaceful, harmonious, and inclusive government', unifying all levels of society regardless their backgrounds. The Jawi script displaying His Royal Highness full name (Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail) along with the "Pelita" or "Siraj" motif, representing the light of wisdom, signified The Ruler's role as a guiding force for the state, ensuring progress & well being of the prople. The Royal Coat of Arms of Perlis standed as a testament to the state government's prominenc and continuity of The Royal Dynasty of Jamalullail; and the inscription '2000 - 2025' reflected the timeline of Tuanku's reign - "an era of prosperity, progress, and the well-being of the people".

The official celebrations started on Thursday, 17th April 2025, 25 years from the day Sirajuddin inherited his small (district-sized) kingdom's throne, after the death of his father (16 April 2000). Representatives of The Federal Government of Malaysia, and the Rulers or Governors of its 13 Federal States (nine monarchies among them) were invited. The most prominent presence was His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (on the throne as head of state since 1967). A special instrument of invitation (Warkah Persilaan) was already presented to His Majesty in a ceremony on January 28, and the Official Reply (Warkah Balasan) was granted on 24 March, 2025. The Raja Muda (crown prince) & Raja Puan Muda (crown princess) of Perlis, and their only son (& third child) Syed Sirajuddin Areeb Putra, 16, stood out of The entrance of Istana Arau, as official guests were driven in procession through the rainy outyard of The Palace. The Raja was wheeled inside and greeted by the guests behind close doors, as well as The Raja Perempuan (Queen Consort), who was assisted to enter upon arrival. The guests (among them five Malay Ruling Couples - including a former King - & a Heir) watched the spectacular firework display at the palace's inner courtyard, before heading to the dinning hall, where they were - apart from food - treated by a wide variety of performances of local songs and folk dances, as well as music tunes from across the world. The Jubilieaur Raja (& former King) thanked his guests & everyone involved in a speech, and the State Anthem of Perlis ('Amin, Amin, ya Rabaljalil') was played at the beginning & the end of banquet (which lasted from 9:30pm to almost midnight).

In the month leading from The beginning of The Raja of Perlis' Silver Jubilee Year's celebrations (17 April 2025) until his 82nd Birthday (Saturday, 17 May 2025), a series of scheduled festivities and military ceremonies took place; apart from the State Opening of The Third Session of Perlis's 15th Legislative Assembly (presided by the king & crown prince on 22 April). On Thursday, 24 April, 9pm, His Royal Highness officiated a landmark opening of the new Padang Besar Roundabout, dedicated to his Silver Jubilee. On Saturday, April 26, two majestic performances of military display were set up at Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium in Kangar (Perlis), by The (Malaysian Army's) Royal Ranger Regiment Troops, under the command of His Royal Highness. A Trooping of the Colours was held at 9:30am, followed by a Tattoo performance at 8:00pm. A series of national-level Recitations of The (Holy) Al-Quran and Memorisation Assembly for 2025, was also held in conjunction with The Jubilee from 27 April to 2 May (2025), as well as an extended open-house fast-breaking (Aidilfitri) ceremony on April 19 evening (the actual Holy month of Ramadan having ended two weeks before the 25th anniversary of accession). On the eve of Sirajuddin's 82nd birthday, a commemorative book titled 'Sirajus Siyadah: 25 Years of the Reign of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin'; which includes 25 significant addresses by The Raja (from the time of Covid, or national celebrations), and revives the historic term 'Zynatul Muluk' (used for a previous ruler's Silver Jubilee in 1929), was formally unveiled by the jubiliant Monarch. Banners, colorful lights, yellow-blue state flags & other decorations might remain in the main roads of Perlis throughout the year, as other Jubilee events, including the Royal Arts & Orchestra Performance (on November 15), are scheduled to feet the second oldest & earliest serving former Malaysian Sovereign.

HRH Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail was born on 17 May 1943 in Arau (the royal capital of Perlis). His family hailed from the Arab-Alawi lineage of Jamal Al-Layl, and his ancestors migrated to Kedah in the 18th century, becoming closely affiliated with the Malay Sultanate's Royal Court. After a successful negotiation, ending the occupation by neighboring Siam, The Sultan of Kedah granted permission to the then chieftains of Arau to establish their own independent Kingdom in 1843. 100 years later Malaya was under Japanese occupation & Sirajuddin's father, Syed (Harun) Putra, the appointed heir, was rejected in favor of an influential Japanese candidate, who was forced to abdicate by The British after the end of the war. Thus Tuanku Syed Putra reigned as Raja of Perlis from 1945 to his death in 2000, co-signing the declaration of Independence (31 August 1957) and served as the 3rd Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Sovereign Monarch; from 1960 to 1965) at the time when The Federation of Malaya converted to Malaysia (16 September 1963). By the end of his reign Putra was considered as the world's longest-reigning monarch, and one of the two exceptions of nine Malay Rulers (alongside the elected Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan), who is not styled as Sultan, and yet is eligible to be elected as King for a fixed, five-year-term.

Sirajuddin is the second child of Putra (1920 - 2000) & his wife Raja Perempuan Budriah (1924 - 2008). He was appointed Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perlis in 1960, while studying England, at Wellingborough College. Graduated a cadet officer from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (1965), he followed a lengthy service in Malaysia's Defence Ministry (placed in Sabah, Serawak & Pahang) & promoted from lieutenant to Captain of the Army & then to major (in the late 1960s & early 1970s). Syed Sirajuddin married to Tuanku Tengku Fauziah (b. 1946) from The Sultanate of Kelantan, on 15 February 1967; and they had two children: Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, Raja Muda of Perlis, (b. 1967) & Sharifah Fazira, Tengku Puteri Mahkota of Perlis (b. 1973). Currently Sirajuddin & Faudziah are the second longest-married Couple of Malay Rulers (after The Sultan & Sultanah of Kedah, married in 1965). Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin briefly served as Regent of Perlis in 1967) & succeeded the throne on 17 April 2000, the day after the death of his father; his Installation as Raja took place on 7 May 2001. He became the 12th King of Malaysia in December 2001, after just twenty months as Malay Ruler, due to the death in office of the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Salahuddin of Selangor. During his five-year-term, which ended in December 2006, Sirajuddin (& his Queen Consort - Raja Permaisuri Agong) had the chance to officially visit several countries, including monarchies, and were guests at The Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of King Bhumibol Adulyadej ('The Great') of Thailand in June 2006.

 A Sunni Muslim by origin, Sirajuddin focused on the practice of the state's religious affairs in accordance to the 'Ahlis Sunnah Waljammah' (the principles of Sunnism). Currently the Commanding Officer of Regiment 504 of the Army Reserve Unit with the rank of colonel, The Raja of Perlis is also a patron of various social organizations, supporting Malaysia's retired servicemen, and Chairing the Royal Armed Forces' Exhibition Committe. In addition His Royal Highness is Chairman of the Tuanku Syed Putra Foundation (est. 1986), providing to Perlis's students the opportunity to pursue further education both domestically and in foreign countries. Recognised as Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces; Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin's foremost legacy as Ruler of Perlis comes from his contribution to the people's unity through religious integrity. A mosque bearing his name, on the other side of Perlis' legislative assembly, commissioned by The Perlis' Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, for which he broke ground just five days before his Silver Jubilee Day; is expected to be - once built -  'a symbol of Muslim development and a landmark signifying the state's efforts in upholding Islamic religious institutions' , as His Royal Highness wished.

Sources:

https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2394998

https://thebruneian.news/2025/04/14/his-majesty-to-grace-raja-of-perlis-silver-jubilee-banquet/

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/18/sultan-of-brunei-attends-raja-of-perlis-silver-jubilee-at-istana-arau/173500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirajuddin_of_Perlis

https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2423761

https://berita.rtm.gov.my/highlights/senarai-berita-highlights/senarai-artikel/preparations-for-silver-jubilee-celebration-of-raja-of-perlis,-lively

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/12/tuanku-syed-sirajuddins-silver-jubilee-celebration-april-17-declared-occasional-holiday-in-perlis/172837

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Jamalullail_(Perlis)

https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/?id=2411557