JOHOREANS are elated with the appointment of their beloved Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar as the country’s 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Alya Nurmaisarah Mohd Nazri.The Star interviewed Johoreans on their hopes and expectations during His Majesty’s five-year reign as a King.
Alya Nurmaisarah Mohd Nazri said she is happy that Sultan Ibrahim was elected the new King, four decades after his late father Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail took office from 1984 to 1989.
“Hopefully, I will be able to watch the live coronation of our Sultan as the new King on television,” said the 23-year-old boutique assistant.
Alya also hoped Sultan Ibrahim could consider repeating the success story of Kembara Mahkota Johor held in the state by having Kembara Mahkota Agong to get to know his subjects better.
She also believed that Sultan Ibrahim will create a trend by popularising the traditional charm of “Baju Teluk Blangah” which is synonymous in Johor among Malaysians in other states.
Muhamad Hariz Abdul Rahim.Entrepreneur Muhamad Hariz Abdul Rahim, 30, has high hopes that the country will further progress and prosper during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim as the new King.
“I believe Sultan Ibrahim will play a greater role in his capacity as the King to ensure Malaysia’s stability and the well-being of the rakyat,’’ he said.
Hariz said political stability at the Federal level would bring positive impacts to the country in terms of attracting more foreign investors into Malaysia.
He said Sultan Ibrahim could implement the concept of Bangsa Johor as a tool to unite Malaysians from different ethnicities and religions as one “Bangsa Malaysia”.
Retiree Raja Izmi Raja Jaafar hoped that the appointment of Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th King will bring positive vibes to the country.
Raja Izmi Raja Jaafar.“The ordinary people have had enough of politicking in recent years and it is time for us to move forward instead of going backward,’’ he said.
The 62-year-old Raja Izmi agreed with Sultan Ibrahim in his interview with the media that his role was to take care of 33 million Malaysians and not the 222 Members of Parliament.
He said that although the King should remain apolitical, His Majesty’s wisdom is needed to advise the Prime Minister on matters related to the nation’s interests.
Electrical store manager Jenny Chin, 36, wanted to see Malaysia record a positive economic growth within the next five years and beyond.
“The focus should be on strengthening the economy and not personal interest of certain individuals like what is happening now,” she said.
Jenny Chin.Chin said, like all Johoreans, she was looking forward to the role played by Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as the Regent in the absence of his father Sultan Ibrahim as King.
She hoped that Johor’s close relationship with its closest neighbour Singapore will continue to flourish under the reign of Tunku Ismail as the Acting Johor Ruler.
Kelvin Chang Swee Meng said Sultan Ibrahim’s statements on His Majesty sharing a close relationship with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a good indicator.
“The Palace and the Executive need to work together for the good of the nation,’’ said the 48-year-old IT and Security Services director.
Chang said political stability would send strong signals especially to foreign investors and tourists to continue investing and visiting the country.
Kelvin Chang Swee Meng.He was also confident that the Acting Johor Ruler Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail has what it takes to rule Johor when his father Sultan Ibrahim took office at Istana Negara.
Malaysian Nature Society president Vincent Chow, 78, said as a nature lover, Sultan Ibrahim can play a role in advising the Government to make more efforts to protect Malaysia’s biodiversity.
“We are one of the top 12 countries rich in biodiversity in the world and we need to maintain that position,’’ he said.
Chow said the country’s rich biodiversity could become the product to promote agro-tourism activities and will create economic spillover to the tourism and hospitality sector.
He added Sultan Ibrahim always championed education and on this note could encourage more youths to take on modern farming to ensure food safety and security for the country.
Usha Devi Chellappan.Usha Devi Chellapan said Bangsa Johor has high hopes that Sultan Ibrahim will perform well for all Malaysians like what he did in his home state Johor.
The 62-year-old nurse recalled at a Thaipusam event held at a temple in Johor Baru in 2018, at that time Sultan Ibrahim wore an arm sling.
“Although His Majesty wore an arm sling, he still shook hands with his subjects including me and my husband,’’ she said.
Environmental activities coordinator Elisha Indhumathi, 53, described Sultan Ibrahim as “a person with a global view thinking” which is good for the country.
“From time to time, as the Johor Ruler, His Majesty always keeps on emphasising how important it is for Johor to progress and develop,’’ she said.
Elisha said she was confident that Sultan Ibrahim would use his experience to work closely with the Federal Government to bring Malaysia to the next level.
