| Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ends Reign With Flying Colours |
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Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail
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By Ahmad Kamil Tahir
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, who ends his reign as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuesday, has served the nation with flying colours.
The roles played by him and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid has not only helped the government and the people of Malaysia, but has also enhanced the country's diplomatic ties with other nations.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said during a farewell banquet for the royal couple that their roles were not only limited to national affairs but also in the international scene, where the King had played a pivotal part in enhancing Malaysia's ties with other nations.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was named the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Dec 12, 2001, and proclaimed King on April 24, 2002.
He married Tengku Fauziah, from the Kelantan royalty, on Feb 15, 1967, They have been blessed with a prince, Syed Faizuddin Putra, and a princess, Sharifah Fazira.
Born on May 17, 1943 in Arau, Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin received his early education at Sekolah Melayu Arau (until Standard Two), followed by Sekolah Rendah Wellesley in Penang, Sekolah Rendah Westland in Penang and Penang Free School, before continuing his studies at Wellingborough Public School, England until 1963.
He was appointed Raja Muda Perlis on Oct 30, 1960, and was the Regent of Perlis in 1967 and 1984 when his late father Tuanku Syed Putra Syed Hassan Jamalullail went overseas for holidays.
On Apr 17, 2000, he was crowned the seventh Raja Perlis following the demise of his father.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is regarded as a stickler for discipline in line with his two-year military training at the Royal Military Academy College, Sandhurst, England from 1964.
He has held various military positions including Second-Lieutenant of the Observer Force Second Regiment, Honorary Captain of the Volunteer Force Regiment, Honorary Colonel of Regiment 504 of the Reserve Force, and Colonel-in-Chief of the Malaysian Rangers Regiment.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin is also a very charitable person, and has made vast contributions to various welfare bodies, sports and academic organisations.
He was formerly the chairman of the Syed Putra Foundation, which helps the poor and the unfortunate, Perlis Malaysian Armed Forces Working Committee, Perlis Malaysian ex-Servicemen's Association, and Rayuan Derma Hari Pahlawan Perlis.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin loves football and is an ardent fan of Tottenham Hotspurs.
He is also life president of the Perlis Football Association and patron of the Perlis Football Referees Association.
In the academic field, he has held the chancellor's post of Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara.
He is highly respected locally and internationally and has been awarded numerous accolades.
Among them are the Silver Medal of the Eduskunta (Finland), Grand Order of King Tomislav (Croatia), Grand Collier De L'Independence dan Grand Croix De L'ordre (Royal Sach) from Cambodia, Cavaliere Di Gran Croce Decorato Di Gran Cordone (Italy), Decoration of Omayad-The Finest Decoration (Syria), Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden) and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Japan).
During his reign as King, he made official visits to Vietnam, Cambodia, France, China, Japan, Sweden and Finland.
-- BERNAMA
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