KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, 58, has been proclaimed the new Sultan of Perak, replacing his father Sultan Azlan Shah who passed away yesterday.

His appointment was announced at 3.15pm today, according to The Star Online.

Raja Nazrin Shah holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, a Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and a PhD in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University, the website reported.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir announced in a live broadcast on national television yesterday that Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, who just turned 86 last month, passed away at 1.30pm.

Zambry also announced a public holiday for Perak today to enable visitors to pay their last respects to the monarch.

Sultan Azlan Shah was the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia and served the full five-year term and before returning as Sultan of Perak in 1994.

Sultan Azlan is survived by his consort Tuanku Bainun Mohd Ali and four children: Raja Nazrin Shah, currently the Raja Muda of Perak; Raja Datuk Seri Azureen Shah; Raja Eleena; and Raja Yong Sofia.

Another son, Raja Ashman Shah, died of asthma in 2012.