Putra of Perlis

1. Early Life and Education

Tuanku Syed Putra was born on 25 November 1920 in Arau, Perlis, which was then part of British Malaya. He was the son of Syed Hassan bin Syed Mahmud Jamalullail (1897-1935), who was at one time the bakal raja or heir presumptive to the throne of Perlis. His mother was Wan Teh binti Wan Endut (1898-1952), a commoner.

His early education took place at the Arau Malay School. He continued his schooling at Penang Free School between 1937 and 1939. At the age of 18 in 1938, he began his career in the Perlis administrative service. He quickly progressed, becoming a magistrate in Kangar. In 1940, he was transferred to Kuala Lumpur to serve as the Second Magistrate in the Criminal Court. In 1941, he married Tengku Budriah binti Tengku Ismail.

2. Perlis Succession Dispute

The succession to the Perlis throne was a complex matter, not automatically determined by primogeniture, but by confirmation from the State Council, which comprised the Raja and several other key figures. The fourth Raja of Perlis, Syed Alwi ibni Syed Safi Jamalullail (who reigned from 1905 to 1943), was childless. This led to several of his half-brothers vying for the position of heir presumptive.

Syed Putra's paternal grandfather, Syed Mahmud (who died in 1919), was the eldest son of Raja Syed Safi ibni Almarhum Syed Alwi Jamalullail, the third Raja of Perlis. Syed Mahmud also happened to be a half-brother of Raja Syed Alwi. He served as the Raja Muda until 1912 but was subsequently convicted and imprisoned in Alor Star, Kedah, until 1917. He passed away in Alor Star two years later.

On 6 December 1934, the State Council convened and, by a vote of three to one, selected Syed Hassan, Syed Mahmud's son and Syed Putra's father, as the bakal raja. However, Syed Hassan died shortly thereafter on 18 October 1935. Following this, on 30 April 1938, the State Council again voted, with a three to one majority, to choose Syed Putra (Syed Hassan's son) as the new bakal raja. This decision faced opposition from Syed Hamzah, a younger half-brother of Raja Syed Alwi and the Vice-President of the State Council. Syed Hamzah argued that Syed Putra was too distantly related to the throne under Islamic inheritance jurisprudence, as primogeniture was not the governing rule in Perlis at the time. Despite these objections, the British colonial rulers lent their support to Syed Putra's selection.

3. Japanese Occupation and World War II

At the outbreak of the Pacific War and the Japanese invasion of Malaya in 1941, Raja Syed Alwi retreated to Kuala Kangsar, Perak. He returned to Perlis on 28 December 1941 but was gravely ill, and state affairs were largely managed by Syed Hamzah. At this time, Syed Putra was serving in the judiciary in Kuala Lumpur and had been advised by Sultan Musa Ghiatuddin Riayat Shah of Selangor to remain there.

In May 1942, Syed Hamzah successfully persuaded the ailing Raja Syed Alwi to revoke Syed Putra's appointment as bakal raja, and instead, Syed Hamzah himself was appointed to the position. Raja Syed Alwi died in Arau on 1 February 1943. The very next day, even before the funeral, Syed Hamzah was proclaimed the fifth Raja of Perlis, a proclamation consented to by the Japanese Military Governor of Kedah and Perlis.

Syed Putra and his family remained in Klang until 15 May 1942, when they returned to Perlis. He lived in a humble hut near the Arau railway station and received a monthly allowance of 90 USD from Raja Syed Alwi, which ceased upon the Raja's death. On 29 March 1945, in search of sustenance, he left for Kelantan, the home state of his consort, Tengku Budriah. There, he earned a living by selling cakes and sundry goods.

4. Raja of Perlis

The Japanese surrender in 1945 marked the return of British rule to Malaya. The British Military Administration (BMA), under Louis Mountbatten, refused to recognize Syed Hamzah as Raja. Consequently, on 18 September 1945, Syed Hamzah abdicated, choosing exile in Thailand. He later died in Arau on 20 February 1958.

On 4 December 1945, the British officially proclaimed Syed Putra as the sixth Raja of Perlis. He returned to Perlis from Kelantan, traveling via Padang Besar. His official installation ceremony took place on 12 March 1949.

Tuanku Syed Putra holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Perlis. On 4 December 1995, he celebrated his Golden Jubilee, commemorating half a century on the Perlis throne.

He initially objected to the proposed Malayan Union treaty, asserting that it contravened the 1930 British-Perlis Treaty, which granted governing power to the Raja-in-Council. He argued that his signature on the treaty was obtained under duress, a protest that was, however, rejected by the British. Despite this, like all other Malay rulers, Raja Syed Putra ultimately refused to endorse the Malayan Union treaty.

5. Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Tuanku Syed Putra's tenure as Yang di-Pertuan Agong was marked by significant political and historical developments, including the formation of Malaysia and regional conflicts.

He was initially elected as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Malay rulers, serving from 14 April 1960 until the passing of Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah on 1 September 1960.

6. Later Role and Advisory Capacity

After completing his term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Raja Syed Putra continued to play a pivotal role in Malaysian royalty. He became the doyen of the Malay rulers, a respected senior figure who provided invaluable advice to more junior monarchs. His counsel was particularly sought during periods of constitutional crisis, such as those that arose with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1983 and 1993, where his experience helped guide the rulers through complex issues.

In 1971, Tuanku Syed Putra was appointed chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, further extending his public service beyond his royal duties.

7. Personal Life and Family

Tuanku Syed Putra married twice and had a large family.

His first marriage was in 1941 to Tengku Budriah binti Tengku Ismail (1924-2008) of the Patani Sultanate in Thailand. She served as his consort with the title of Raja Perempuan of Perlis and later as Raja Permaisuri Agong during his tenure as King of Malaysia. Together, they had five sons and five daughters. Their son, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, currently holds the title of Raja of Perlis.

His second marriage was in 1952 to Che Puan Mariam (née เรียม เพศยนาวิน_{Riam Pessayanavin}^Thai; 23 April 1923-1986). She was a Thai Muslim from Bangkok and had been crowned Miss Siam in 1939. With Che Puan Mariam, he had three sons and one daughter.

8. Death and Funeral

Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on 16 April 2000, at the age of 79. The cause of death was a heart attack. He had been admitted to the medical center on 21 March for issues related to his heart, kidneys, and diabetes. His condition became critical on 9 April, leading to his placement in the ICU and requiring respiratory support. However, his condition stabilized two days later, and he was taken off life support before his passing.

At the time of his death, he was recognized as the longest-reigning monarch in the world, a distinction he inherited from Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein in 1989.

The announcement of his death was made by Menteri Besar of Perlis, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, at 4:07 PM local time. The state government of Perlis declared the following day a public holiday to allow citizens to pay their respects. As a sign of mourning, state and national flags were flown at half-mast, and all official events were postponed.

Many dignitaries visited IJN to pay their respects, including Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Tengku Mahkota Kelantan (now Sultan Muhammad V), former Defense Minister Datuk Abang Abu Bakar Mustapha, and UMNO Kelantan Chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. Tengku Razaleigh fondly described the late monarch as a caring, humble, and kind father figure, recalling his acquaintance with Tuanku Syed Putra since childhood.

Present at IJN during his final moments were his consort, Raja Perempuan Perlis Tengku Budriah, Raja Muda Raja Syed Sirajuddin, and other members of the Perlis royal family. His body was transported from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Star, arriving around 6:45 PM. Awaiting the arrival were the Sultan and Sultanah of Kedah, along with the Raja Muda and Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, Menteri Besar Shahidan, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain, and Rural Development Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid. Upon disembarking the aircraft, a Royal Guard of Honour, comprising 103 personnel and two officers from the Sixth Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) carrying the Royal Colours, formally received the coffin before its transfer to Istana Arau in Perlis.

The body was laid in state at Istana Arau, allowing the public to pay their respects after Maghrib prayers that evening and from 8:00 AM the following day. Attendees were requested to wear white clothing, with men donning light-colored kain sampin (a traditional wrap) and no white fabric around their songkok. Royal family members, as well as local and foreign dignitaries, paid their respects starting from 12:00 PM the next day. The traditional washing ceremony of the body was conducted at 11:00 AM at the State Mosque, followed by his burial at the Royal Mausoleum in Arau after the Zohor prayer. The announcement of the new Raja of Perlis was made before Tuanku Syed Putra's burial service. Days before his passing, Tuanku Syed Putra had appointed Syed Sirajuddin as the acting Raja of Perlis.

9. Awards and Honors

Tuanku Syed Putra received numerous national and international awards, honors, and decorations throughout his life, recognizing his distinguished service and leadership.

10. Places Named After Him

Numerous places, institutions, and events across Malaysia have been named in honor of Tuanku Syed Putra, reflecting his significant and lasting impact:

• Jalan Syed Putra, a section of the Federal Highway (Federal Route 2) connecting the old Kuala Lumpur railway station and Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur.
• Tuanku Syed Putra Mosque in Kangar, Perlis.
• SMS Tuanku Syed Putra, a secondary school in Kangar, Perlis.
• Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium in Kangar, Perlis.
• Kompleks Sukan Tuanku Syed Putra, a sports complex in Kangar, Perlis.
• Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra, a hall at MRSM Beseri, Perlis.
• SK Putra, a primary school in Kangar, Perlis.
• Tuanku Syed Putra Building in George Town, Penang.
• Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra, a hall at Universiti Sains Malaysia in George Town, Penang.
• Jambatan Tuanku Syed Putra, a bridge in Kuala Perlis, Perlis.
• Persiaran Syed Putra in Kuala Lumpur.
• Kem Syed Putra, a military camp in Ipoh, Perak.
• Tuanku Syed Putra Football Cup.
• Tuanku Syed Putra Junior International Tennis Championship.

11. International Engagements and Visits

Tuanku Syed Putra undertook significant international engagements and diplomatic visits, enhancing Malaysia's relations with other nations.

As the Raja of Perlis, he visited Japan in October 1956, accompanied by his wife, and was granted an audience with Emperor Hirohito.

Later, as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he returned to Japan for a state visit in June 1964, again accompanied by his wife. During this visit, he met Emperor Hirohito for a second time and was bestowed with the Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan's highest honor. As a state guest, he was formally welcomed by Emperor Hirohito and other members of the Japanese imperial family at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. At an imperial banquet held in his honor, Emperor Hirohito recalled his own visit to Singapore in 1921, noting his experience with the Malay culture during that stop.

During his ten-day state visit to Japan, Tuanku Syed Putra toured various sites in Tokyo, including the Tokyo Tower, the Japanese Red Cross Maternity Hospital, and facilities related to the upcoming 1964 Summer Olympics. His itinerary also included visits to Hiroshima, Hyogo, and Kyoto. Notably, he visited Bancho Elementary School in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

12. Legacy and Assessment

Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail is remembered for his long and stable reign as the Raja of Perlis, where he presided over the state's development for over five decades. His distinguished tenure as the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong was marked by crucial moments in Malaysia's early nation-building, including the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and the challenges of the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. His dedication to strengthening the country's armed forces earned him the posthumous recognition as the "Father of Malaysian Defense".

He was also notable as the youngest person to be elected Yang di-Pertuan Agong, demonstrating his early rise to prominence and the trust placed in him by the Malay rulers. His concerns for the proper handling of royal regalia highlighted his respect for tradition and continuity. As the first King of the unified Federation of Malaysia that included Singapore, he served as a symbolic figure during a period of significant geopolitical transformation. His later role as the doyen of Malay rulers, offering counsel during constitutional crises, underscored his wisdom and enduring influence on Malaysian royalty and governance.