Perlis, in full Perlis Indera Kayangan, is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Thailand on its northern border.

Since 2000, the Raja or hereditary monarch has been Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, who is concurrently the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. The Regent of Perlis, since December 2001, has been Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra. The Chief Executive or Menteri Besar is Dato' Seri Shahidan Kassim of Barisan Nasional, a former civil servant.

The capital of Perlis is Kangar and the royal capital is Arau . Another important town is Padang Besar , at the Malaysian-Thai border.

History

Perlis was originally part of Kedah, until 1842. A series of conflicts between Kedah, Perak and Siam forced British intervention in 1826 where the Burney and Low Treaties were signed formalising relations between the two Malay states and Siam, their nominal overlord. In the Burney Treaty, the exiled Kedahan sultan Ahmad Tajuddin was not restored to his throne. Sultan Ahmad and his armed supporters then fought for his restoration over twelve years (1830-1842).

In 1842 Britain put pressure on Siam to restore the Sultan. This was done, but Perlis and Setul were separated. Perlis was given to Syed Sapee, an Arab merchant. His descendants still rule Perlis, as rajas, instead of as sultans.