Sultan Nazrin proclamation made before Sultan Azlan’s funeral

PETALING JAYA: The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, was today proclaimed the 35th Sultan of Perak, following the demise of his father Sultan Azlan Shah.
The proclamation of Sultan Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah as the new ruler was made at 3.15pm by Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja, Jeneral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin, at Balairong Seri in Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
The ceremony was held before the body of Sultan Azlan Shah, who passed away at 1.30pm on Wednesday at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, was taken for burial.
The ceremony began with Mohd Zahidi reading out the proclamation, after which Sultan Nazrin, 58, took his oath and signed the document of oath as ruler.
Mohd Zahidi then led those present at the ceremony in hailing "Daulat Tuanku" thrice, followed by the recitation of a "doa selamat" by the Mufti of Perak, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria.
Sultan Nazrin then placed his hands on the casket and kissed it to signify that the funeral ceremony for his father could commence.
The Dewan Negara Perak, which met on Wednesday, had agreed on the appointment of Raja Nazrin, who is the eldest son of the late Sultan Azlan Shah.
Sultan Nazrin, who was born in Penang on Nov 27, 1956, was proclaimed the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perak on April 15, 1984.
Sultan Nazrin has an academic and intellectual background with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Worcester College, Oxford.
He also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of government, Harvard; and a PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University.
Sultan Nazrin's research interests are in the area of economic and political development in Southeast and Northeast Asia, historical national income accounting and economic growth in developing countries.
The Sultan has also written articles and spoken on a wide range of issues including the role of the constitutional monarchy in Malaysia, education, Islam, ethnic relations and economic development.
Sultan Nazrin married Zara Salim Davidson at Istana Iskandariah, Bukit Chandan, on May 17, 2007 and they are blessed with two children, Raja Azlan Muzaffar Shah, six, and Raja Nazira Safya Shah, three.