Raja of Perlis’s Birthday in Malaysia Date in the current year: May 17, 2024

Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia, as well as the only state where its hereditary ruler bears the title of Raja. It was originally part of Kedah Sultanate, which was invaded and conquered by Siam in 1821. During the Siamese occupation that lasted for two decades, Perlis became an important realm within Kedah.

In 1842, the King of Siam agreed to restore the independence of Kedah as a vassal state of Siam. Perlis, however, was separated from Kedah and became another vassal state of Siam. In 1843, Sayyid Hussain Jamalulail, the maternal grandson of the Sultan of Kedah, became the first Raja of Perlis. He is regarded as the founder of the ruling House of Jamalullail.

Despite their considerable autonomy, Kedah and Perlis remained vassal states of Siam. In 1909, Thailand relinquished its claims over their sovereignty to Britain according to the terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty, which divided the Malay states into two parts: one part was controlled by Siam and the other part was transferred to Great Britain. As a result, Perlis became a British protectorate, alongside Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

During World War II, Perlis was occupied by Japan and briefly returned to Siam as a sign of gratitude for Siam’s alliance with the Empire of Japan. However, after the capitulation of Japan in 1945, it was returned to the United Kingdom and eventually became part of the crown colony named Malayan Union.

In 1948, the Malayan Union was dissolved and replaced by the Federation of Malaya. In 1957, the Federation gained independence from Britain, and Perlis became a state within the newly independent country. The hereditary Raja of Perlis remained head of state after Malaysia’s independence.

The incumbent Raja of Perlis is Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin. He was born on May 17, 1943 to Tuanku Syed Putra, who would become Raja of Perlis two years after his son’s birth. Sirajuddin studied in Malaysia until the age of 16 and then left for England, where he graduated from Wellingborough School and trained at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. Upon his return to Malaysia, he served with the Ministry of Defense.

Sirajuddin was officially appointed the crown prince (Raja Muda) of Perlis at the age of 17. His father, who ruled Perlis from 1945 to 2000, died on April 16, 2000. The day after his father’s death, Sirajuddin was installed as the next ruler of Perlis. From 2001 to 2006, he also served as the Supreme Head (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) of Malaysia. During this time, Perlis was ruled by a regent on his behalf.

Although Sirajuddin of Perlis was born on May 17, the state government ruled that from 2018 to 2021 his official birthday was to be celebrated on July 17. Such a decision was made because during these years Rajah’s actual birthday falls during the holy month of Ramadan. In 2022, the holiday was celebrated on May 22.