His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia greeting the rakyat during a tea party in Johor on Dec 14, 2023. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
HIS Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia is an empathetic Ruler who is admired and respected by his subjects. The Ruler’s gentle side emerges when he becomes teary-eyed while listening to the rakyat’s stories of pain and suffering. Those who have met Sultan Ibrahim describe him as a warm-hearted Ruler with an amiable personality and a good sense of humour.
Sultan Ibrahim is celebrating his official 66th birthday today.
Earlier this year Sultan Ibrahim was sworn in as the 17th King of Malaysia.
The Sultan, who comes from a line of strong-willed, independent and savvy rulers, is passionate about developing Johor into a modern and progressive state. His vision is to make Johor Malaysia’s next economic powerhouse after the Klang Valley.
Sultan Ibrahim attending the second day of the 265th Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara on Feb 22. Looking on is Tunku Ismail. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Sultan Ibrahim was crowned the fifth Ruler of modern Johor in 2015, marking a historical moment as the last coronation in the state was held for Sultan Ibrahim’s late grandfather, Sultan Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim, in February 1960.
The Sultan takes a keen interest in development policies and projects spearheaded by the Johor and Federal governments, and is always concerned about their impact on his subjects.
Since ascending the throne in 2010, Sultan Ibrahim has had no qualms voicing his opinions or displeasure on various issues. The Sultan has lashed out against politicians who sow distrust and disunity among the people.
The Ruler was also quick to call for stern action to be taken by the authorities against those responsible for the controversial socks issue. Sultan Ibrahim said during his royal address in Parliament last month, he issued a reminder to the people not to manipulate or politicise the 3R (race, religion and royalty) against the Federal Constitution.
Sultan Ibrahim has repeatedly stressed on the importance of people of all races being united and respectful of each other.
Tunku Ismail welcoming Sultan Ibrahim upon his Majesty’s arrival at the state on Feb 6. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Sultan Ibrahim is a strong believer in Bangsa Johor, a concept aimed at promoting greater unity among people in the state. The concept was initiated by his great-grandfather, Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, in 1920, to unite the various races in Johor under one flag for greater cooperation, harmony and peace.
A savvy businessman with investments in an array of businesses both local and foreign, the Ruler is also an avid traveller, just like his ancestors who had embarked on various voyages.
One of Sultan Ibrahim’s passions is collecting old and new cars and motorcycles, which are all parked in garages within the palace grounds.
The Ruler is clearly happy with the Kembara Mahkota Johor (KMJ) programme, which started in 2001. The expedition on vehicles, led by the Ruler, is intended to forge closer ties between Johor’s royal family and the people through various programmes carried out at each stopover along the journey.
Sultan Ibrahim insists on having representatives from Malay, Chinese and Indian non-governmental organisations as part of his committee for the annual KMJ, to give him input about the people’s views on matters that affect them.
Sultan Ibrahim’s passion for sports is well known. In his youth, Sultan Ibrahim played a mean game of polo not just locally, but also in tournaments held in Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei. Sultan Ibrahim earned the distinction of being the best polo player in Asia during the polo world qualifications in the 1990s. Sultan Ibrahim also enjoys parasailing, boating (jet ski), parachuting, shooting and driving sports cars. He once emerged champion in a falling plate shooting event organised by the army at the Malaysian Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) in Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim was proclaimed as the chancellor of Kolej Universiti Islam Johor Sultan Ibrahim (KUIJSI) during its 21st convocation ceremony on Dec 13, 2023. during the same event, Tunku Ismail was also proclaimed as the pro-chancellor. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Sultan Ibrahim, the third of 10 children and the eldest son, was born at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru on Nov 22, 1958. Sultan Ibrahim received his formal education at Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman (1) before leaving for Trinity Grammar School in Australia, and later to the United States to continue his studies in law and diplomacy.
Sultan Ibrahim obtained his religious education from Sekolah Agama Air Molek in Johor Baru. After completing his secondary education, Sultan Ibrahim underwent basic military training at Pusat Latihan Darat in Kota Tinggi, Johor, for three months.
Sultan Ibrahim also received military training in the United States at Fort Benning, Georgia, and later at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sultan Ibrahim was appointed deputy commander of the Johor Military Force upon completing his military training overseas. He has trained and served in the Air Force and Navy, and is a qualified green beret commando in Malaysia and the United States.
Sultan Ibrahim is also a member of the Red Beret Kompasus of Indonesia and a fully qualified divemaster. As part of his training for kingship, Sultan Ibrahim joined the Johor Civil Service and served in various departments, including the district office and the land, health and treasury departments.
Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia giving a red packet to a woman during a Chinese New Year celebration at the Johor Baru City Council Tower on Feb 7. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
In 1981, Sultan Ibrahim was proclaimed the Tunku Mahkota of Johor. Sultan Ibrahim is married to Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia. Her Majesty is a Perak princess and an Oxford University graduate.
Her Majesty is also the chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
The couple is blessed with six children – Tunku Ismail Idris, Tunku Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail Abdul Rahman, the late Tunku Abdul Jalil Iskandar Ibrahim Ismail, Tunku Abdul Rahman Hassanal Jeffri and Tunku Abu Bakar Mahmood Iskandar Ibrahim.
