Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday in Mayalsia Date in the current year: December 11, 2024

Selangor is a hereditary constitutional monarchy with the Sultan acting as the head of state. He ascends to the throne following the death of his predecessor (usually his father) and his powers are limited by the constitution. The Sultan has executive authority, as well as appoints the head of government, the State Executive Council and four to ten members of the legislative assembly. The Selangor Sultanate began to form in 1743 and acquired its current shape following the independence of Malaysia.

The current Sultan of Selangor is Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who ascended to the throne in 2001. He was born on December 1945 to Tengku Abdul Aziz Shah, who was then the Raja Muda (crown prince) of Selangor, and his first wife. The birth name of the future Sultan was Tengku Idris Shah. He attended a primary school in Kuala Lumpur before being accepted into St. John’s Institution, a prestigious public all-boys school.

When Tengku Idris Shah was fifteen, he was proclaimed the crown prince of Selangor since his father had become the Sultan. He continued his education abroad, first in a selective school for boys in Australia and then in an English college. Upon his graduation from college, Tengku Idris Shah returned to Malaysia and began working as a public servant. In 1970, he formally took oath as the heir to the throne.

In 1999, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah was elected as the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the king of Malaysia; unlike Sultan, this title is elective and not hereditary). Since his father couldn’t simultaneously carry out his duties as the Sultan of Selangor and the head of state, Tengku Idris Shah was appointed as regent of Selangor.

Two and a half years later, Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah died of heart problems, and his son became the next Sultan of Selangor, taking the reign name Sharafuddin, which means “religious enlightenment” in Arabic.

Before ascending the throne, Sharafuddin used to lead quite an adventurous life. At the age of thirty, he climbed the highest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m). In 1995, he set off on a round-the-world trip on his yacht. He also participated in long distance car races and rallies.