Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah of Perak


Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah, CMG was the 33rd Sultan of Perak reigning from 5 January 1963 until his death on 31 January 1984. He was the son of Sultan Iskandar Shah.

Early life and education

He was born on 17 August 1924 at the Istana Negara in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. He was the second son of Sultan Iskandar and Raja Puteh Umi Kalsom. His father was a son of Sultan Iskandar Shah and a brother of Sultan Abdul Jalil. His oldest brother died when he was 40 days old. He was named Raja Idris Shah at birth.
He was educated at Clifford School, Kuala Kangsar and furthered his studies at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He was made raja di hilir in 1933, succeeding Raja Chulan, who died that year. He was appointed raja bendahara in October 1938 upon the death of his father. Ten years later, on 29 March 1948, Sultan Abdul Aziz, died and Raja Idris was made raja muda by his cousin, the new sultan, Yussuf Izzuddin Shah.

Sultan of Perak

Upon the death of Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah on 5 January 1963, he was appointed as the 33rd Sultan of Perak assuming the title – Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasullah.

Death and succession

Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil was the frontrunner to be elected Malaysia's eighth Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. However on 31 January 1984, a week before being elected, he died after suffering a heart attack at the Angkatan Tentera Hospital, Lumut at 11:15 pm.
He was 59 and had been the Sultan of Perak for 21 years.
He was interred at the Al-Ghufran Royal Mausoleum at Bukit Chandan and the posthumous title of Marhum Afifullah was conferred. His funeral took place on 3 February 1984 and was buried at the Al-Ghufran Royal Mausoleum near Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar.
He was succeeded by his first cousin once removed, Raja Azlan Shah.

Legacy

The state mosque of Perak in Ipoh and Sultan Idris Shah II Bridge in Bota are named after him.

Marriages and children

Sultan Idris first married, Raja Noor Izah binti Raja Ali. She was styled Raja Puan Besar until their divorce 14 years later. He then married his first cousin once removed Raja Muzwin, the daughter of Raja Ariff Shah bin Raja Harun, on 12 August 1943. Idris's grandfather, Sultan Idris Shah I, was Raja Muzwin's great-grandfather. She became known as Raja Perempuan upon Sultan Idris ascending the Perakian throne. Among his children were:
  1. Raja Nazhatul Shima, who is Raja Puan Besar of Perak married Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Jaafar ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa on 12 January 2019 after her first husband, Syed Omar Alsagoff died in 2017.
  2. Raja Dato' Seri Izzuddin Iskandar Shah, married Tengku Datin Seri Noor Hazah.
  3. Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain, who is Raja Di-Hilir, married Tunku Soraya, adopted daughter cum matrilineal line niece of Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah.
  4. Raja Halimahton Shahrin, drowned at sea while scuba diving in Pulau Perhentian, Besut, Terengganu.
  5. Raja Zarith Sofiah, who is Permaisuri of Johor married Sultan Ibrahim of Johor.
  6. Raja Jamil Ariffin, married Datin Seri Fazilah Hani binti Dato' Harun on 18 February 2021 after his first wife, Tengku Datin Seri Dato' Zalila binti Tengku Kamarulzaman died in 2020.
  7. Raja Radziatul Zahar, died during infancy.
The Sultan was also claimed to have a son with an Elizabeth Rosa, who was placed for adoption. Keith Williams was raised in Wales, and in 2015 traced his birth parents for a documentary for S4C.
His grandchildren:
His great-grandchildren :
  • By Tunku Ismail Idris and Che' Puan Besar Khaleeda:
  • *Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah
  • *Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim
  • *Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim
  • *Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah
  • By Syed Ibrahim Alsagoff and Suzanna:
  • *Sharifah Nadyatul Iman Alsagoff
  • *Syed Ismail Iman Alsagoff

Honours

Honours of Perak

Other honours