The customary enthronement of the Sultan of Perak XXXV, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, took place today steeped in the tradition and splendour of the Perak Malay Sultanate at the majestic Istana Iskandariah on the bank of the Perak River in Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar.

The ceremony which marked the continuity of the Perak sultanate reign, began with bearers carrying 16 spears and 16 state umbrellas into the Balairung Seri (Throne Room) and installing them on the right and left side of the room.

Sultan Nazrin Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Perak, resplendent in songket attire of royal gold hue, then entered the Balairung Seri to the accompaniment of the tune of ‘Raja Berangkat’, played by the nobat (royal music) ensemble.

Earlier, the sultan received the royal salute accompanied by the playing of the Perak state anthem by a Royal Malaysian Navy band at the palace grounds.

His Royal Highness then inspected the guard-of-honour mounted by members of the 2nd Division, Royal Army Engineers Regiment.

Sultan Nazrin Shah cut a dashing figure in his full royal ceremonial attire that included the headdress and aigrette, long gold necklace called Rantai Bunga Nyiur and gold armlets, while Tuanku Zara, in kebaya labuh, also wore the tiara, gold necklace called Agok, Dokoh (neck pendant) and gold armlets, which are all part of the state regalia.

The royal couple was accompanied by Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and his consort Raja Puan Besar Perak Raja Nor Mahani Raja Shahar Shah, and Raja Di-Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain and his consort Raja Puan Muda Perak Tunku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim.

Orang Kaya-Kaya Seri Adika Raja Shahbandar Muda Ir Mohamad Othman Zainal Azim then sought the sultan’s consent to begin the ceremony followed by recitation of verses of the Quran by Radhi Kamarul Hailan, a Quran teacher in Perak.

Orang Kaya-Kaya Imam Paduka Tuan Dr Muhammad Afifi Al-Akiti, who carried the Quran accompanied by a palace official and two heralds, entered the Balairung Seri to present the Holy Book to Sultan Nazrin Shah who was seated on the throne that was adorned with gold flowers on both sides.

The sultan then kissed the Quran and placed it on a special place on his right.

The ceremony continued with Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja, General (rtd) Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin reading out the Sultan of Perak XXXV enthronement proclamation instrument that was held by Dewan Negara Perak secretary, Toh Amar Seri Diraja Ayob Hashim.

Royal state sword presented

The Raja Chik Muda Pawang Diraja then presented the royal state sword, Pedang Cura Simanja Kini, to the sultan who pulled the sword from its sheath before kissing it.

Mohd Zahidi then raised his hands together in a gesture of homage (mengangkat sembah) and called out ‘Daulat Tuanku’ three times followed by the others present.

The nobat was played and a 21-gun salute fired simultaneously in the distance.

Toh Seri Nara Diraja Mohd Shah Nong Chik then presented the sultan with the ‘Mestika Embun’ or The Bezoar of Dew and placed the ‘Cap Halilintar’ (Silver Seal) on His Royal Highness’ headdress while whispering the ‘Rahsia Nisab Sultani’ (the origins of the Sultan) into his ear.

This was followed by the conferment of the title of Raja Permaisuri Perak on Tuanku Zara Salim, the proclamaiton of which was read out by Mohd Zahidi.

Tuanku Zara Salim then stood up to perform the gesture of homage to the sultan who then pinned the ‘Bunga Pencawa Pencara’ on her hair.

After the proclamation, Mohd Zahidi once again ‘mengangkat sembah’ and called out ‘Daulat’ three times followed by the rest present and the playing of the nobat.

Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir read out their congratulatory and pledge of loyalty speech on behalf of the Perak Darul Ridzuan royalty and nobility, and on behalf of the government and people respectively.

Sultan Nazrin Shah then delivered his speech in conjunction with the enthronement ceremony.

The ceremony ended with the reciting of the ‘doa’ by Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria and Mohamad Othman then approched the sultan to inform him of its completion.

Gracing the ceremony were the other sultans and rulers and their consorts, and Sultan Nazrin Shah’s mother Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Bainun, as well as state dignitaries.

Also present were Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor, and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Norainee Abd Rahman.

Sultan Nazrin Shah and the Raja Permaiuri Perak left the Balairung Seri to the sound of the nobat tune ‘Raja Berangkat’, marking the end of the ceremony.

The enthronement of the Sultan of Perak XXXV which encompasses six major ceremonies, namely the Commencement Ceremony, Invocation of the Perak Guardian Spirits, Visit to the Royal Tombs, Setting Foot on Beting Beras Basah and Completion Ceremony, highlights the uniqueness and richness of the customs of the Perak Malay Sultanate since 1528.

- Bernama