Sirajuddin of Perlis

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail (Jawi: توانكو سيد سراج الدين ابن المرحوم توانكو سيد ڤوترا جمل الليل; born 17 May 1943) is the current Raja of Perlis, reigning since 2000. He previously reigned as the twelfth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, (King of Malaysia), from 2001 to 2006.

Early life and education
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was born in Arau, Perlis, the second of ten children of Raja Putra of Perlis and Raja Perempuan Budriah. He studied at the Arau Malay School until standard two, then from 5 January 1950 he continued his primary education at Wellesley Primary School in Penang followed by Westland Primary School until the end of 1955. Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin began his secondary education at Penang Free School on 9 January 1956 and later left for England to study at Wellingborough School for four years until 1963. He underwent training as a cadet officer at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, England, from January 1964 until December 1965.

Early career
Upon his return from England, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin served with Malaysia's Ministry of Defence. His first post was as second lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of the Malaysian Reconnaissance Corps on 12 December 1965. In 1966, he was transferred to Sabah and then to Sarawak in 1967. He then served in Pahang for several years until he resigned on 31 December 1969 to return to Perlis. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in December 1967.

In 1970, he served in the armed forces again, as Captain of the Local Territorial Army from 16 November 1970 until 1 October 1972. He was promoted to major on 1 October 1972. Currently, he is the Commanding Officer of Regiment 504 of the Army Reserve Unit with the rank of colonel.

Raja of Perlis
In October 1960, he was made the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perlis while still a student. He was installed as the 12th Ruler of Perlis on 17 April 2000, the day after the death of his father, Putra, who had been the raja since 1945, and was the world's longest reigning monarch at the time.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Continuing the tradition of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong rotation, Sirajuddin was elected as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. His term began on 13 December 2001. This was earlier than expected because the previous and 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Salahuddin of Selangor, died in office on 21 November 2001 while his term should have ended in 2004. At that time, he was the fastest ruler to become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from his accession to his state's throne, at 1 year and 241 days (record now held by Sultan Abdullah of Pahang). Tuanku Sirajuddin's term ended on 12 December 2006.

Personal life
On 15 February 1967, he married Tuanku Tengku Fauziah (born 6 June 1946) at Kota Bharu, Kelantan, daughter of Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah of Terengganu, by his wife Tengku Maharani Putri Tengku Kembang Puteri binti Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim of Kelantan, who became the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis. Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was appointed for the first time as the Regent of Perlis when the Raja of Perlis and the Raja Perempuan of Perlis travelled to the United States and Europe from 23 June 1967 until 24 October 1967.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin has one son and one daughter:
 * His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, Raja Muda of Perlis (born on December 30, 1967)
 * Her Highness Sharifah Fazira, Tengku Puteri Mahkota of Perlis (born on June 5, 1973).

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin has travelled to many countries including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, Spain, Libya, the Netherlands, Belgium, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is also active in sports. Among his favourite sports are golf, tennis, football and is a fan of Tottenham Hotspur football club. He has been the Chairman of Putra Golf Club, Perlis since May 1971, and the patron of the Association of Football Referees of Perlis since 1967. He was also the Chairman of the Football Association of Perlis for 18 years.

Social contributions
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin interacts frequently with his people through various fields and heads many social organisations, which are:
 * Chairman of the Rayuan Binaan Wisma Pahlawan Negeri Perlis and Chairman of the Exhibition Committee of the Malaysian Royal Armed Forces in Perlis on 1 April 1971.
 * Chairman of the Association of Malaysian Ex-Servicemen, Perlis branch for five years.
 * Chairman of the Rayuan Derma Hari Pahlawan Negeri Perlis since 1972.
 * Patron of 4B Youth Movement of Perlis.

Sirajuddin is known for his dedication towards his people and takes an interest in education. With the establishment of the Tuanku Syed Putra Foundation in 1986, many Perlis students have been able to further their studies locally and abroad. Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is the Chairman of this foundation.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin became directly involved in religious affairs when he was appointed President of the Islamic Council of Perlis by Sultan Putra of Perlis. Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is especially concerned that the religious affairs of the state are based on the 'Ahlis Sunnah Waljamaah' doctrine. In this regard, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is constantly in touch with the religious leaders of Perlis.

Awards and recognitions

 * Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin held the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Malaysian Navy and Field Marshal, Malaysian Army in light of his duties as Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, thus becoming the third royal ruler to rise from the ranks as an active military officer to the rank of supreme commander-in-chief.
 * Colonel-in-Chief, Royal Ranger Regiment

He has been awarded:

Honours of Perlis
Perlis:
 * MY-PERL Royal Family Order of Perlis - DKP.svg Founding Grand Master of the Royal Family Order of Perlis (since 17 May 2001)
 * [[File:MY-PERL Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail - DK.svg|50px]] Grand Master of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (since 17 April 2000)
 * [[File:MY-PERL Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail - Knight Grand Companion - SSSJ.svg|50px]] Grand Master of the Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail (since 2001)
 * [[File:MY-PERL Order of Prince Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail of Perlis - Knight Grand Companion - SPSJ.svg|50px]] Grand Master of the Order of Prince Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail of Perlis (since 2005)
 * Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail: Knight Grand Companion (SSPJ, 4 December 1995) and Grand Master (since 17 April 2000)
 * MY-PERL Order of the Crown of Perlis - Knight Grand Commander - SPMP.svg Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of Perlis (since 17 April 2000)

Honours of Malaysia

 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia (as Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia):
 * MY Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia - Royal Family Order of Malaysia - DKM.svg Recipient (DKM) (2002) and Grand Master of the Order of the Royal House of Malaysia (DKM, 13 December 2001)
 * MY Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (Crown of the Realm) - DMN.svg Order of the Crown of the Realm: Recipient (DMN) (2001) and Grand Master (13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006)
 * MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg Grand Master of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006)
 * Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia - SSM.svg Grand Master of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006)
 * MY Darjah Bakti - Order of Merit of Malaysia - DB.svg Grand Master of the Order of Merit of Malaysia (13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006)
 * MY Darjah Jasa Negara - Order of Meritorious Service - PJN.svg Grand Master of the Order for Important Services (Malaysia) (13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006)
 * MY Panglima Setia Diraja - Order of the Royal Household - PSD.svg Grand Master of the Order of the Royal Household of Malaysia (13 December 2001 – 12 December 2006)
 * Pingat Jasa Malaysia ribbon.png Malaysian Service Medal (PJM) (17 April 2009)
 * Johor:
 * Order of the Crown of Johor ribbon bar.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato'
 * Kedah:
 * MY-KED Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK).svg Member of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK) (21 January 2002)
 * Kelantan:
 * MY-KEL Royal Family Order - Star of Yunus - DK.svg Recipient of the Royal Family Order or Star of Yunus (DK) (2002)
 * Negeri Sembilan:
 * MY-NEG Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan - DKNS.svg Member of the Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan (DKNS) (19 July 2001)
 * Pahang:
 * MY-PAH Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang - DK I.svg Member 1st class of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (DK I) (26 October 2005)
 * Perak:
 * MY-PERA Royal Family Order of Perak - DK.svg Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Perak (DK)
 * MY-PERA Order of Cura Si Manja Kini - Grand Knight - SPCM (new).svg Grand Knight of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) – Dato' Seri
 * Selangor:
 * MY-SEL Royal Family Order of Selangor - DK I.svg First Class of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I) (14 December 2002)
 * Terengganu:
 * MY-TER Family Order of Terengganu 2nd class - DK II.svg Member second class of the Family Order of Terengganu (DK II)
 * MY-TER Order of Sultan Mahmud I of Terengganu - SSMT.svg Member Grand Companion of the Order of Sultan Mahmud I of Terengganu (SSMT) – Dato' Seri (8 October 1998)

Foreign honours

 * Brunei: Recipient of the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB) (10 August 2002)
 * 🇰🇭 Cambodia:
 * Grand Collar of the National Order of Independence (16 December 2002)
 * Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia (16 December 2002)
 * 🇭🇷 Croatia: Recipient of the Grand Order of King Tomislav
 * 🇫🇷 France: Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (8 May 2004)
 * 🇫🇮 Finland: Commander Grand Cross with Collar of Order of the White Rose of Finland (19 September 2005)
 * 🇮🇹 Italy: Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (9 June 2003)
 * 🇯🇵 Japan:
 * Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (7 March 2005)
 * Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (22 February 1970)
 * 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Collar of Badr Chain
 * 🇸🇬 Singapore: Member 1st Class of the Order of Temasek (DUT) (11 April 2005)
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden: Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (14 September 2005)
 * Syria: Member 1st Class of the Order of Umayyad (7 May 2004)

Places named after him
Several places were named after him, including:
 * Persiaran Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (formerly known as Persiaran Duta) in Kuala Lumpur
 * Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin in Arau, Perlis
 * Sirajuddin Mosque in Padang Pauh, Perlis
 * Kem Syed Sirajuddin, a military camp in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan
 * SMK Syed Sirajuddin, a secondary school in Arau, Perlis
 * SK Kem Syed Sirajuddin, a primary school in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan