IPOH: During his lifetime, the late Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Shah was considered by many as a humble, down-to-earth prince of the people.
Born on Dec 28, 1958 in Penang, he was the third of five children of the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun.
His siblings comprise the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Datuk Seri Raja Azureen, Datuk Seri Raja Eleena and Datuk Seri Raja Yong Sofia.
Raja Ashman married Datin Seri Noraini Jane Kamarul, 53, on Sept 26, 1991 and the couple were blessed with a son, Nazim Ahmad Azlan Shah, 20, and daughters, Raja Eminah Alliyah, 18, and Raja Bainunisa Safia, 17.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom in 1981, followed by a Diploma in Business Law Administration from the University of London and a Master of Laws from Cambridge University in 1985.
The prince was appointed Raja Kechil Bongsu Perak on May 11, 1987; Raja Kechil Tengah Perak on March 10, 1998; and, Raja
Kechil Sulung Perak on March 16, 2010.
During his lifetime, the prince was also active in the corporate sector and had held important
posts in various companies, including as non-executive independent director of KKB Engineering Bhd and non-executive independent director of Kian Joo Can Factory Bhd.
He had also served as executive director of Kanzen Berhad, chairman of Dwitasik Sdn Bhd and director of Sanyo Industries Malaysia.
The prince was also a fan of the national hockey team and was active in social and welfare activities, particularly under the Sultan Azlan Shah Foundation.
He was conferred with the state’s Seri Paduka Cura Simanja Kini (SPCM) award on April 18, 1988 which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri’. — Bernama