Dato Setia Bijaya Diraja Jeragan Abdul Shukor, Guardian of the Royal Regalia

Abdul Shukor Bin Mohamed Ali was born in 1865 during the reign of Sultan Mohamed Ali Al-Mukamal Inayat Shah, the 24th Sultan of Perak. His mother's name was Che Teh Miti, who hailed from Bota Kiri, Perak.

This prominent figure was raised within the palace and was closely associated with the Royal family, beginning with the late Sultan Yusuf Sharifuddin Mudzaffar Shah, the 27th Sultan of Perak, who was said to be very fond of him. He served under the late Sultan Idris Murshidul Azam Shah, the 28th Sultan of Perak, by whom he was appointed as His Highness's Secretary.

The title Dato Setia Bijaya DiRaja (Comptroller of the Royal Household), or as it is now more commonly known, Orang Kaya Kaya Setia Bijaya DiRaja, was originally known as Seri Agar DiRaja, a position held by Dato Sagor before it was abolished. Although the Orang Kaya-Kaya Setia Bijaya is one of the Orang Besar Delapan (Eight Great Chiefs), he was not granted a territory to oversee like the one held by Dato Sagor. Jeragan Abdul Shukor was the first dignitary to hold this position, bestowed upon him by the late Sultan Idris I in 1899.

Dato' Setia Jeragan Abdul Shukor served as the guardian of the Perak State Palaces. Among the Perak state regalia once guarded by Dato' Setia Jeragan Abdul Shukor were:

• Royal Algrette
• Royal Taniak
• Keris Seri Gading
• Pontoh Ular Lidi

Ranks and Titles Held:

• 1883 - 1891: Toh Raja Dibongsu Bentara Istana Diraja
• 1899: Jeragan
• 1899: Dato' Setia Bijaya Diraja

Throughout his life, Dato' Setia Jeragan Abdul Shukor faithfully served four Sultans who ruled the state of Perak. The following is a list of the Sultans of Perak who received his service:

• Sultan Yusuf Sharifuddin Mudzaffar Shah, 27th Sultan of Perak (1876-1887)
• Sultan Idris Murshidul Azam Shah, 28th Sultan of Perak (1887-1916)
• Sultan Abdul Jalil Nasruddin al-Mukhataram Shah, 29th Sultan of Perak (1916-1918)
• Sultan Iskandar Shah, 30th Sultan of Perak (1918-1938)

He passed away in 1924 and was laid to rest near the Al-Ghufran Royal Mausoleum in Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar. Beside his grave lies his wife, Che Teh Doyah, who passed away in 1928. Successors to the title of Y.B.O.K.K Dato Setia Bijaya DiRaja:

• Dato' Setia Jeragan Abdul Shukor (1899-1924)
• Dato' Setia Mohd Noordin (1924-1939)
• Dato' Setia Mohd Hashim (1939-1973)
• Dato' Setia Abdul Wahab (1974-1989)
• Dato' Setia Haji Mohd Ghazali (1989-present)

References:

• Sembang Kuala
• Teman Orang Parit: Almarhum Jeragan Abdul Shukor
• Wilkinson RJ. History: Chiefs Of Perak. In Papers on Malay Subjects, Part I-V. Kuala Lumpur: FMS Government Press; 1908. p81-82.