Get to Know the Eight Dato Kurnia of Perak

The awarding of state medals and decorations is a new form of recognition replacing traditional titles, clothing, or valuable items as practiced during the traditional era of the Perak Sultanate. However, the purpose of these awards remains the same: to honor and reward individuals who have contributed their services to the State of Perak. The tradition of awarding medals and state decorations in Perak began in 1953 during the reign of the 32nd Sultan of Perak, His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Sultan Yusuf Izuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Jalil Karamatullah Nasiruddin Mukhataram Shah Radziallah (1948-1963), under the authority of the Sultan as enshrined in the Second Part of the Perak State Constitution, signed on February 25, 1953.

In 1954, during the reign of His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Sultan Yussuf Izuddin Shah, the Sultan instituted 8 Honorary Dato' titles known as "DATO KURNIA" to be awarded to high-ranking Perak citizens with significant influence in the State of Perak. In this article, I will take readers to learn more about the Eight Dato Kurnia of Perak. In conjunction with the 66th Birthday Celebration of His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Sultan Yussuf Izuddin Shah on January 15, 1956, the awarding of these Honorary Dato Kurnia titles began for three individuals who had served the State of Perak, consisting of a British Officer, a Malay Perak citizen, and a Chinese Perak citizen. This Honorary Dato award was the first in the State of Perak to carry the title of Dato and the first to be awarded to a non-Malay. When the holder of this title passes away, the title will no longer be used and will be abolished. The following are the Eight "Honorary Dato" Dato Kurnia titles of Perak: 1. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA BAKTI: Awarded to Dato Ian William Blelloch (I.W Blelloch), British Advisor to the State of Perak on January 16, 1956, in conjunction with the 66th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak. 2. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA DIRAJA: Awarded to Dato Haji Mohamad Esa Bin Kulop Shah, Member of the Perak State Executive Council on January 16, 1956, in conjunction with the 66th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak. 3. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA NEGARA: Awarded to Dato Dr. Kam Tak Khong (K.T Khong), Member of the Perak State Executive Council on January 16, 1956, in conjunction with the 66th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak. Dato Dr. Kam Tak Khong was the first Perak Chinese person to be awarded the title of Dato and one of the first two non-Malays to be awarded the Dato Kurnia title.

4. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA JASA: Awarded to Dato Osman Bin Talib, Deputy Menteri Besar of Perak on January 16, 1957, in conjunction with the 67th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak.

5. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA SETIA: Awarded to Dato Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Mohamad Jabar, Member of the Federal Legislative Council of the Federation of Malaya on January 16, 1957, in conjunction with the 67th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak.

6. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA JAYA: Awarded to Dato Shaari Bin Shafie, Menteri Besar of Perak on January 16, 1961, in conjunction with the 71st Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak.

7. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA INDERA: Awarded to Dato James Edward Seymour Crawford (J.E.S Crawford), Member of the Dewan Negara of the Federation of Malaya Parliament on January 16, 1961, in conjunction with the 71st Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak. 8. YANG BERBAHAGIA DATO KURNIA LELA: Awarded to Dato Jal Manecksha, Member of the Perak State Executive Council on January 16, 1961, in conjunction with the 71st Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak. Dato Jal Manecksha was the first Perak Indian person to be awarded the title of Dato.

On December 12, 1957, His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Sultan Yusuf Izuddin Shah proclaimed the First State Decoration of Perak known as the "MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE CROWN OF PERAK" (DARJAH KEBESARAN YANG AMAT MULIA MAHKOTA PERAK). This decoration is divided into four ranks. The First Rank is known as SERI PADUKA MAHKOTA PERAK (S.P.M.P.), which carries the title Dato' Seri and the wife's title Datin Seri. The Second Rank is known as DATO PADUKA MAHKOTA PERAK (D.P.M.P.), which carries the title Dato' and the wife's title Datin. The Third Rank is known as PADUKA MAHKOTA PERAK (P.M.P.), and the Fourth Rank is known as AHLI MAHKOTA PERAK (A.M.P.). Although this Order was proclaimed in 1957, the awards only began in 1963 during the reign of the 33rd Sultan of Perak, His Royal Highness Sultan Idris Iskandar Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah II Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Shah Kaddasallah, following the passing of the 32nd Sultan of Perak, His Royal Highness Paduka Seri Sultan Yussuf Izuddin Shah on January 4, 1963. The six holders of the Dato Kurnia title mentioned above were among the first recipients of the "DATO PADUKA MAHKOTA PERAK (D.P.M.P.)" decoration in conjunction with the 39th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak held on October 26, 1963. The first to be awarded was Dato Kurnia Jasa Osman Bin Talib, Chairman of the National Electricity Board of Malaysia. The second was Dato Kurnia Diraja Haji Mohamad Esa Bin Kulop Shah, Member of the Perak State Executive Council. The third was Dato Kurnia Setia Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Mohamad Jabar, President of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Custom Council. The fourth was Dato Kurnia Jaya Shaari Bin Shafie, Menteri Besar of Perak. The fifth was Dato Kurnia Indera James Edward Seymour Crawford (J.E.S Crawford), Member of the Dewan Negara (Senator) of the Malaysian Parliament. The sixth and final one was Dato Kurnia Lela Jal Manecksha, Member of the Perak State Executive Council.

During the reign of His Royal Highness Sultan Idris Iskandar Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah, the Sultan awarded the MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE CROWN OF PERAK (S.P.M.P.) in conjunction with the 42nd Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak on September 15, 1966, to three holders of the Dato Kurnia title, namely Dato Kurnia Jasa Dato Osman Bin Talib, Chairman of the National Electricity Board of Malaysia, and Dato Kurnia Indera James Edward Seymour Crawford (J.E.S Crawford), Member of the Dewan Negara Malaysia.

For the services and contributions of Dato Kurnia Setia Dato Abdul Aziz as a Member of the Council of Regency and Member of the Perak State Public Service Commission, he was awarded the MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE CROWN OF PERAK (S.P.M.P.) on September 15, 1970, by His Royal Highness Sultan Idris Iskandar Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah in conjunction with the 46th Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Perak. He was the last holder of the Dato Kurnia title to be awarded a decoration carrying the title Dato Seri.

References:

• History of the State Decorations, Stars, and Medals of Perak
• Cempaka Sari: History of the Perak Sultanate by M.A Fawzi Basri
• Sultan Breaks Tradition, Creates Non-Malay Peers, Singapore Standard, 16 January 1956
• HONOURED BY HIS Sultan TUAN Haji Mohamed Esah bin Kulop Shah, one of the first three Perak residents to be appointed honorary Dato by Sultan, Singapore Standard, 17 January 1956
• 38-Name Honours List Covers People From Every Walk Of Life, Singapore Standard, 15 January 1957
• MB Perak now becomes a Dato, Berita Harian, 16 January 1961
• Fatwa: Sultan gives warning, Berita Harian, 29 August 1963
• After installation, an investiture of birthday honours at throne room, The News Straits Times, 27 October 1963
• Crown Order Stars for dignitaries: Council members receive awards, Berita Harian, 15 September 1966
• 152 people receive awards for the Sultan of Perak's Birthday, Berita Harian, 15 September 1970