Wednesday November 16, 2005

Man claims Malacca ‘throne’

BY SYED AZHAR

REGAL GATHERING: Raja Noor Jan and his entourage, including two of his four wives, being led to his so-called investiture ceremony at Taman Melati in Gombak on Monday night.

KUALA LUMPUR: A 48-year-old man who proclaimed himself the Sultan of Malacca at a so-called investiture ceremony here on Monday night is willing to take the matter to court to stake his claim to the state’s “throne”.

Raja Noor Jan Shah Raja Tuah has evidence, and the regal artefacts, to prove the claim, said Azri Safian, who identified himself as the alleged ruler’s organising secretary.

“He is serious about being installed as the 44th sultan of Malacca,” Azri told reporters at Raja Noor Jan’s purported ceremonial hall in Gombak here yesterday.

More than 500 guests attended the “investiture” ceremony at a community hall in Taman Melati, where 150 people were also bestowed honorific titles.

Two of the four wives of the property businessman, who has given himself the title Sultan Ahmad Shah, accompanied him at the Istiadat Watikah Gelar Adan Kesultanan Melaka ceremony, which came ahead of the Rulers Conference in Malacca on Nov 21.

Azri said Raja Noor Jan had claimed he was a descendant of the last known Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah (1488-1511).

He said Raja Noor Jan would hand over his documents for the rulers to discuss at their meeting. Another ceremonial gathering would be held on Nov 19 in Malacca, he added.

“We have the regalia, like two keris, a silver buckle, a royal crown and brooches from ancient Malacca and authenticated by the Museum and Antiquities Department,” he said.

Letters and profiles relating to the claim had been sent to the Rulers Council, the Yang di Pertuan Agong and the Sultan of Perak as well as the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Malacca.

“These items are proof to be presented to the Rulers Council,” he said. ” So far, we have not received any response.”

The Museum and Antiquities Department had authenticated the sultan’s genealogy, Azri said, adding that this further proved his claim.

Azri said the “sultan” had not pursued his claims until the regal instruments unexpectedly turned up two months ago.

“The sultan received some signs from his ancestors on the whereabouts of the regalia and, with the help of a pawang (traditional soothsayer) the artefacts were dug up from a place in Malacca,” he said.

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