YAM Raja Lope Nur Rashid (Raja Kecil Besar: 1963 – 1977)

A portrait of Brig Gen Raja Dato' Seri Lope Nur Rashid as Raja Kechil Besar.

Y.A.M. Brigadier General Raja Dato’ Seri Lope Nur Rashid bin Raja Abdul Rahman was born at Durian Sebatang, Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan) on 1 July 1909. He was the grandson of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad Shah II. He was initially educated at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar and later went to England, where he attended Magdalen College School, Oxford. He was then an undergraduate at Balliol College, Oxford. He was ranted the title of Raja Kechil Bongsu in 1956. He was promoted to Raja Kechil Tengah on 19 December 1956, then Raja Kechil Sulong on 30 June 1962, and finally Raja Kechil Besar on 1 February 1963.

Raja Lope Nur Rashid in his Royal Malay Regiment uniform. (Source: Tengku Yasmin Tengku Yusof)

Raja Lope Nur Rashid was among the first 25 Malay youths to join the first Experimental Squad of the Royal Malay Regiment on 1 March 1933 in Port Dickson. The idea of forming the first Experimental Squad was mooted at the Legal Conference of the Federal Council in 1913 but was left in abeyance due to the First World War. This proposal was brought up again after the war in 1920 but was not seriously considered by the British because they did not believe that Malay youths had the spirit nor the capability to join the Army. However, nearly 12 years later, on 13 September 1932, the War Office of the Colonial Government in London gave the agreement for the formation of the experimental squad of the Malay Regiment. The approval was granted upon continous pressure made by Sultan Iskandar (Sultan Perak 1919-1938), Tuanku Muhammad Shah (Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan 1888-1933), Raja Di-Hilir Sir Chulan ibni Sultan Abdullah and Dato’ Abdullah Dahan (Undang Luak Rembau). Thus, on 1 March 1933, 25 youths were selected including Raja Lope Nur Rashid. In 1959, Raja Lope Nur Rashid was promoted to Brigadier General before he retired on 13 July 1961.

Raja Lope Nur Rashid died at Bukit Chandan on 24 May 1977, at the age of 68 years. His daughter Y.M. Raja Saidatul Ezam is married to Y.A.M. Tengku Muhammad Yusuf Shah ibni al-Marhum Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah.

The first four Commissioned Officers of the Malay Regiment receiving their swords as Second Lieutenants from His Excellency The High Commissioner, Sir Shenton Thomas, outside the Federal Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur before the opening of the Federal Council Meeting; 4.11.1936. Raja Lope is seen here receiving his sword from Sir Shenton Thomas. (Source: Arkib Negara Malaysia)