How Did the Perak Administrative Center Come to Be at Cempaka Sari?
During the reign of the 15th Sultan of Perak, the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain from 1752 to 1765, it was often referred to as the golden age of Perak Darul Ridzuan.
This 15th Sultan of Perak is the one mentioned in the lyrics of the song 'Cempaka Sari', written by the late Sultan Idris II (the 33rd Sultan of Perak). Cempaka Sari is an island and it does not refer to
Pulau Taman Cempaka Sari
located in the town of Parit.
Pulau Taman Cempaka Sari
is merely a recreational park for local residents, which was inaugurated by the late Sultan Idris II (the 33rd Sultan of Perak) during his reign. The location of Pulau Cempaka Sari, or its new name Pulau Indera Sakti, is in the middle of the Kuala Sungai Kinta where it joins the Perak River. The position of this island is between Teluk Intan and Kampung Gajah. It was from then on that the 'Balai Gambang' (royal barge) was first introduced to facilitate the Sultan's movements. The late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) was installed as the Sultan of Perak following the passing of the late Sultan Muzaffar (the 13th Sultan of Perak) in Barhaman Indera, which is now known as Bota. The late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) was the son-in-law of the late Sultan Muzaffar (the 13th Sultan of Perak).
Tomb of the late Sultan Muzaffar (the 13th Sultan of Perak) After being installed as the Sultan of Perak, he initially resided in Barhaman Indera until he felt moved to relocate to a new site to serve as the administrative center for the glory of his reign. The late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) expressed his intention to move to another location 100 days after the passing of the late Sultan Muzaffar (the 13th Sultan of Perak), following the customary rites of laying the gravestones and embanking the previous Sultan's tomb.
One of the main factors that led the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) to move to a new location is recorded in the 'Hikayat Misa Melayu' written by Raja Chulan on pages 51 to 52, where he mentioned feeling uneasy when the 'nobat' (royal orchestra) was played because the palace was located near the tomb of the late Sultan Muzaffar (the 13th Sultan of Perak).
Sultan :
As for the late Sultan who has passed away, we have already seen to his funeral rites according to custom. Now, what is the opinion of the Raja Muda and all the high-ranking officials?
Raja Muda :
Whatever Your Majesty commands, we shall carry it out to the best of our ability, for we are your humble servants, and we shall never waver in our loyalty.
Sultan :
In my heart, I no longer wish to stay here because it does not feel right to play the nobat near the tomb of the late Sultan. I wish to move from Barhaman Indera and establish a new place for our era that our descendants may inherit.
Raja Muda :
Where does Your Majesty wish to establish this place so that we may carry out your orders? Please command wherever it pleases Your Majesty.
Sultan :
The place at Pulau Cempaka Sari seems suitable; that is where we shall establish the royal seat. I want the Raja Muda and all the high-ranking officials to prepare it immediately, within a month or two.
Raja Muda :
Very well, Your Majesty, we shall carry out your command.
The conversation between the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) and the Raja Muda, as depicted in Raja Chulan's writing, clearly shows that the Sultan was uncomfortable holding celebrations at the palace while the previous Sultan's tomb was nearby. It clearly demonstrates that the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) held great respect for the late Sultan who preceded him.
Tomb of the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) So, why did the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) choose Pulau Cempaka Sari? Pulau Cempaka Sari was a place where he used to play as a child until he became the Raja Muda while residing at Pulau Tiga. The location of Pulau Cempaka Sari was also very strategic to be used as a trading port. Perhaps the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (the 15th Sultan of Perak) also felt nostalgic for his childhood there, so Pulau Cempaka Sari became his choice for his residence and the administrative center of the state of Perak.
