State should be called 'Perlis' only, no 'Indera Kayangan' - Raja Perlis

The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has commanded that there should be no addition to the state's name, such as 'Indera Kayangan' or 'Darul', and be called just 'Perlis', as enshrined in the state constitution.

He said the constitution had been signed by his father, the late Tuanku Syed Putra Syed Hassan Jamalullail only with the name Perlis for the state, without any addition.

"Therefore, I hope for the name to remain as Perlis, without the addition of Indera Kayangan which is related to deities, or any 'Darul'," he said.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was speaking during the launch of Kota Kayang Museum and a public tea party in conjunction with his 72nd birthday, here, Monday.

Also present were Raja Perempuan Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said the state's name had been discussed during a meeting of the Perlis Islamic Religious Council (MAIPs), while he was its president during the 1980's.

"The meeting's decision was presented to my father, and he also wished for the name Perlis not to have any addition to it," he said.

Speaking on the museum, he hoped it would continue to be visited by the public, especially the youth, to increase their knowledge of the state's history.

He was happy to announce that more than 30,000 people visited the museum last year, exceeding the set target of 25,000 people, while 400,000 people had visited it since it opened.

Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man in his speech expressed confidence that the museum would function as a centre for historical knowledge, besides being a tourist attraction.

Museums Department director-general, Wan Jamaluddin Wan Yusof said improve its landscape to make it more attractive to tourists.