In front of other royal families, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Cabinet members, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar at at the age of 65, took the oath of office and signed the proclamation of office document in the palace.
There will be a later ceremony for the coronation.
Sultan Ibrahim, one of the richest men in the nation, is the owner of a vast corporate empire that includes telecoms, power plants, and real estate. Given their intimate relationship, the frank monarch’s reign may help Anwar’s unity government, which is up against fierce Islamic resistance.
Who is Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar?
Sultan Iskandar, the son of Sultan Ibrahim, is the 17th and current Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Malaysia.
He is also the 5th Sultan of Modern Johor, having ascended to the throne after his father died in 2010.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, he founded the annual Kembara Mahkota Johor event. Sultan Ibrahim was elected to a five-year term in 2023. On 27 October 2023, the Conference of Rulers elected Ibrahim Ismail as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, replacing Abdullah of Pahang, and Nazrin Shah of Perak as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a third term.
However, the king’s political power has increased recently. Prior to 2022, Sultan Abdullah used his influence to choose Anwar as prime minister in the event that a hung parliament resulted from the general elections. Sultan Ibrahim has stated that he will continue to take an active role.
In an interview that was published in the Singapore Straits Times last month, he stated that he would prefer to battle corruption and strengthen national unity rather than squander five years as a “puppet king” on the throne. Due to worries about a potential conflict of interest, Sultan Ibrahim’s significant corporate presence has drawn attention. This includes his ownership of a share in the multibillion-dollar Forest City development project in Johor with China’s troubled developer Country Garden. He revealed his intentions to support the struggling Forest City project and bring back a high-speed rail link with Singapore to the Singapore Straits Times.
Malaysia’s 17th King Sultan Ibrahim takes the oath
On January 31, the millionaire ruler King Ibrahim of the Johor state in Malaysia took the oath of office as the country’s next ruler.
Ibrahim took the oath of office in the palace under the unusual rotating monarchy system, and he signed the document of the proclamation of office in front of other royal families, Cabinet members, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
PM Anwar’s unity government may benefit from his leadership, despite heavy resistance from the Islamic community.
Richy-rich Sultan
The new king of Malaysia has a significant influence on the country’s political landscape. He has a stake in Forest City, a $100-billion China-backed land reclamation project off Johor. Before his installation, Sultan Ibrahim announced his intention to be an active monarch and proposed that Malaysia’s state oil firm Petroliam Nasional, and the country’s anti-corruption agency report directly to the king.
He also proposed reviving a stalled high-speed rail link project between Malaysia and Singapore, with a border crossing through Forest City.
Sultan of Johor ‘prepared for national duties’
Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, next in line to be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, has expressed his readiness to fulfill his national duties for the country and people. He stated that his top priority would always be the welfare of the people, emphasizing that it is not a promotion but a responsibility he is prepared to undertake on behalf of his brother Rulers.
Additionally, Sultan Ibrahim, who was proclaimed as the Ruler of Johor on 23 January 2010, declined to elaborate on the outcome of the Conference of Rulers, stating that it would be best to wait until the meeting is over. The Rulers were expected to choose the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong on October 27 under a unique election system, likely upholding the rotation system.
PM Anwar gives the new King his warm greetings
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah received the warmest greetings from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on His Majesty’s accession to the federal throne as Malaysia’s 17th King.
While taking the oath, he stated, “And we all pray for Your Majesties and the entire royal family to remain in a state of good health, peace, and full sovereignty, and to always be blessed with Allah’s mercy and guidance.”
Besides, Sultan Nazrin Shah, the ruler of Perak, also took the oath of office as the Deputy King during the same event.
