Ibrahim
إبراهيم
Yang di-Pertuan Agong-elect
Assuming office31 January 2024
SucceedingAl-Sultan Abdullah
DeputySultan Nazrin Shah
Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim
Sultan of Johor
Reign23 January 2010 – present
Coronation23 March 2015
PredecessorSultan Iskandar
Heir apparentTunku Ismail
Menteri Besar
See list
Born (1958-11-22) 22 November 1958 (age 65)
Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, Johor, Federation of Malaya
Spouse
​
(m. 1982)​
Issue
Names
Tunku Ibrahim Ismail ibni Tunku Mahmood Iskandar
Regnal name
Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar
HouseTemenggong
FatherSultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail Al-Khalidi
MotherEnche’ Besar Hajah Khalsom binti Abdullah (née Josephine Ruby Trevorrow)
ReligionSunni Islam
Military career
Allegiance Johor
Service/branch Royal Johor Military Force
Years of service1977–present
(active service)
Rank Commandant (JMF}
UnitJohor Military Forces

Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (Jawi: سلطان إبراهيم ابن المرحوم سلطان إسکندر; born 22 November 1958) is the 5th Sultan of Modern Johor. He ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Sultan Iskandar in 2010.

A motorcycle enthusiast, Sultan Ibrahim is the founder of the annual motorcycling tour event, Kembara Mahkota Johor.[1]

On 27 October 2023, he was elected to a five-year term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia with his tenure expected to start on 31 January 2024.[2][3]

Biography

Early life

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was born on 22 November 1958 in Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaya during the reign of his great grandfather, Sultan Ibrahim. He was the third child and eldest son of Sultan Iskandar by his first wife, Josephine Ruby Trevorrow (2 December 1935 – 1 June 2018), an English lady from Torquay,[4][5] whom Sultan Iskandar (then Tunku Mahmood) met while he was studying in England.[6][7] Trevorrow, a proprietor by profession, took on the name of "Kalsom binti Abdullah" for a time following her marriage to Tunku Iskandar.[8] His mother has since remarried and lived in England.[9]

His great-grandfather, Sultan Ibrahim died in London on 8 May 1959, thus, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail's grandfather, Ismail of Johor succeeded him as Sultan of Johor. Ibrahim Ismail moved up to second in line to the throne, after his father.

The late Sultan Iskandar sent him to complete his secondary education at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, Australia from 1968 until 1970. After finishing his high school, he was sent to Pusat Latihan Tentera Darat (PULADA) in Kota Tinggi for basic military training. He also received military training in the US–at Fort Benning, Georgia and later at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.[10]

Tunku Ibrahim was appointed as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor on 3 July 1981,[10] and had been primarily residing at Istana Pasir Pelangi since then.[11][12] Tunku Ibrahim was the regent of Johor between 26 April 1984 and 25 April 1989 when his father served his term as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.[10] In recent years, Tunku Ibrahim gradually took over some of the state duties and functions from his aging father;[13] these included the 211th Conference of Rulers, whereby Tunku Ibrahim and Tengku Abdullah, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang represented their fathers in the meetings,[14] among some other state functions.[15]

Shortly before Filipino opposition politician Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated at the Manila International Airport on 21 August 1983, Tunku Ibrahim met Aquino upon his arrival in Singapore and later brought him to meet other Malaysian leaders across the Causeway.[16] Once in Johor, Aquino also met with Ibrahim's father, Sultan Iskandar, who was a close friend.[17]

Sultan of Johor

A few hours before his father's death on 22 January 2010, Tunku Ibrahim was appointed as the Regent of Johor, following medical reports that suggested of Sultan Iskandar's impending demise.[18] Sultan Iskandar died on the same night, and Tunku Ibrahim was installed as the Sultan of Johor the following morning.[19] The Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Johor, Abdul Ghani Othman cited that Sultan Ibrahim and immediate members of the royal family will undertake a mourning period of 40 days.[20] During the mourning season, Sultan Ibrahim made his inaugural presence at the Conference of Rulers in February 2010 as the Sultan of Johor.[21]

On 30 June 2011, Sultan Ibrahim drove the last train from Tanjong Pagar railway station, having received tuition from Chief Locomotive Inspector Hasnol Azahari Aman of Keretapi Tanah Melayu to enable him to do this. He stated that he wished to do this as his grandfather, Ismail of Johor had opened the causeway between Singapore and Malaya in 1923, and that it was appropriate that he should drive the last train out of the station.[22]

He also declared Muar as Johor's new royal capital, replacing Johor Bahru on 5 February 2012. This coincided with the Maulidur Rasul celebrations.

Sultan Ibrahim became the first Johor Ruler to celebrate his birthday celebration in Muar on 22 November 2012. He picks the town because it is "rich in history and tradition besides being peaceful, beautiful and progressive". He wanted the state government to gazette all the old buildings in the town as a state heritage. He also wants the local authorities to preserve the cleanliness of Sungai Muar which could be done by relocating the bus and taxi terminals elsewhere.[23]

He was crowned as the Sultan of Johor on 23 March 2015.[24] The last coronation was that of his grandfather Sultan Ismail on 10 February 1960.[25] From 2015 onwards, 23 March is made an annual state public holiday as the Sultan's official birthday, replacing the public holiday on 22 November, the Sultan's actual birthday.[26]

He is noted for his religious moderation and has condemned the creeping Arabisation of Malaysian Muslim culture.[27] Despite being the only Sultan in Malaysia without tertiary (postsecondary) education, he has promoted quality education for Johor.

On 6 January 2024, Sultan Ibrahim decreed that he would not grant any audiences till he ascends to the throne as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 31 January 2024. He would not be accepting any appointments except for the previously scheduled events and the weekly audiences with the Menteri Besar and the state government of Johor as he wanted to spend the remaining time before the ascension with the royal family.[28]

Yang di-Pertuan Agong

On 27 October 2023, the Conference of Rulers elected Ibrahim Ismail as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong or literally "King of Malaysia", replacing Abdullah of Pahang.[3][29] During this time, the Conference of Rulers also elected Nazrin Shah of Perak to a third term as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.[30]

Marriage and issue

Sultan Ibrahim married Raja Zarith Sofiah, daughter of Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak on 22 September 1982.[31][32] They have six children:

Decrees

Sultan Ibrahim has issued a few decrees to the state to date.

Public weekend from Saturday/Sunday to Friday/Saturday

Johor, as with the former standalone British protectorates of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, used to rest on Fridays and Saturdays, in contrast with the former Federated Malay States as well as Malacca, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak and the Federal Territory which observe their weekends on Saturdays and Sundays. Johor, together with Perlis, moved their weekend to Saturday and Sunday on 1 January 1994 to synchronise with Singapore next door as well as with Kuala Lumpur, as Johor by then was a quickly industrialising state.

However, on 22 November 2013, on Sultan Ibrahim's birthday celebrations, he decreed that Johor will move back its weekend to Friday and Saturday, to enable Muslims in the state to attend their Friday prayers, effective 1 January 2014. This move was not without certain controversy, as this has caused disruptions, particularly for private businesses dealing with Singapore. The private sector nevertheless continues to rest on Saturdays and Sundays.[40]

District name changes

In August 2015, Sultan Ibrahim decreed that the name of Kulaijaya district be reverted to its former name of Kulai.[41] He also decreed that Nusajaya be renamed to Iskandar Puteri, as well as renaming Ledang District to Tangkak District.[42][43][44]

Ban on vape

Sultan Ibrahim issued a decree banning vape in Johor effective 1 January 2016. The purposes of the ban is for the sake of the health of the Johor state residents. Kelantan and Terengganu followed soon after.[45]

Ban on oversized signboards

In January 2016, Sultan Ibrahim also decreed that signboards for businesses must not exceed 6.1 m × 1.2 m, so as to prevent any dangers to the public as well as to reduce unsightly signboards which mar the city beauty.[46]

Business dealings

Although given a monthly allowance of RM27,000,[47] Sultan Ibrahim had done some business dealings such as

Issue

See also: Line of succession to the Malaysian throne
Name Birth Date Birth Place Death Date Death Place Marriage
Date		 Spouse Their Children Their Grandchildren
HRH Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar, Tunku Mahkota (1984-06-30) 30 June 1984 (age 39) 24 October 2014 HH Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Bustamam HH Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah
HRH Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim
HH Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim
HH Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah
HH Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (1986-04-08) 8 April 1986 (age 37) 14 August 2017 Dato' Dennis Muhammad Abdullah (formerly Dennis Verbaas) Layla Sofiah
Second child (undeclared name)
HH Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail, Tunku Temenggong (1987-12-25) 25 December 1987 (age 36)
HH Tunku Abdul Jalil Iskandar, Tunku Laksamana (1990-07-05)5 July 1990 5 December 2015(2015-12-05) (aged 25)
HH Tunku Abdul Rahman Hassanal Jeffri, Tunku Panglima (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 30)
HH Tunku Abu Bakar Mahmood Iskandar, Tunku Putera (2001-05-30) 30 May 2001 (age 22)

Titles and styles

Styles of
Sultan Ibrahim
Reference styleHis Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty
Alternative styleTuanku

Sultan Ibrahim's full style and title in Malay: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, D.K. (Johor), D.K. (Perak), D.K. (Kelantan), D.K. (Perlis), D.K. (Selangor), D.K. (Negeri Sembilan), D.K. (Terengganu), D.K.M.B. (Brunei), S.P.M.J, S.S.I.J, S.P.M.T, S.M.N, S.P.M.K, S.P.M.P, P.I.S, Sultan Yang Di-Pertuan Bagi Negeri dan Jajahan Takluk Johor Darul Takzim[57]

in English: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, D.K. (Johor), D.K. (Perak), D.K. (Kelantan), D.K. (Perlis), D.K. (Selangor), D.K. (Negeri Sembilan), D.K. (Terengganu), D.K.M.B. (Brunei), S.P.M.J, S.S.I.J, S.P.M.T, S.M.N, S.P.M.K, S.P.M.P, P.I.S, The Sultan and Yang-di Pertuan of the State of Johor, The Abode of Dignity and its dependencies[58]

Honours

See also: List of honours of the Johor Royal Family by country

Johor honours

Honours of Malaysia

Foreign honours

Honorary doctorate

Ancestry

Notes

  1. ^ Tunku Mahkota to lead tour for 10th year, 16 July 2008, The Star
  2. ^ "Malaysia picks powerful ruler of Johor state as country's new king under rotation system". AP News. 27 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Sultan Ibrahim of Johor to be appointed Malaysia's king, 34 years after his father's reign". Channel News Asia. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  4. ^ Facts on File Yearbook, Published by Facts on File, inc., 1957, Phrase: "Married: Prince Tengku Mahmud, 24, grandson of the Sultan of Johore, & Josephine Ruby Trevorrow, 21, daughter of an English textile..."
  5. ^ Morris (1958), pg 244
  6. ^ Information Malaysia: 1985
  7. ^ The International Who's Who 2004, pp. 827
  8. ^ Morais (1967), pg 198
  9. ^ Rahman, Solomon (1985), pg 21
  10. ^ a b c Karim, Tate (1989), pp. 572
  11. ^ Magnificent abode for royals Archived 2009-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, Fauziah Ismail, JohorBuzz, New Straits Times
  12. ^ Day of fun and feasting, TEH ENG HOCK and MEERA VIJAYAN, 15 October 2007, The Star
  13. ^ Thanam Visvanathan, Ruler with deep concern for people–Sultan Iskandar revered as protective guardian and helpful to all his subjects, pg 1, 8 April 2001, New Sunday Times Special (Sultan of Johor's Birthday)
  14. ^ Conference of Rulers meeting begins, 26 July 2007, The Star
  15. ^ Official Launching and Opening Ceremony of the APH Multi Purpose Complex Fabrication and Supply Base - 12th June 2008 Archived 2008-09-22 at the Wayback Machine, Press Release, KIC Group of companies
  16. ^ AQUINO'S FINAL JOURNEY, Ken Kashiwahara, 16 October 1983, The New York Times
  17. ^ Towards Relevant Education: A General Sourcebook for Teachers (1986), Education Forum, pg 305
  18. ^ Tunku Mahkota Johor Appointed Regent Effective Today, January 22, 2010, Bernama
  19. ^ Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Proclaimed As Sultan Of Johor January 22, 2010, Bernama
  20. ^ Sultan of Johor dies, 23 January 2010, Teo Cheng Wee, The Straits Times
  21. ^ Conference of Rulers meets today, February 10, 2010, The Star (Malaysia)
  22. ^ "Why I drove the last train out". Straits Times. 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  23. ^ RAJA ABDULLAH, HAMDAN (22 November 2012). "Johor Ruler wants old buildings in Muar gazetted". thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  24. ^ "Coronation of Johor Sultan". The Star. Malaysia. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  25. ^ Ismail, Fauziah (17 August 2012). "Ruler close to the people's heart". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2012-08-21. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  26. ^ "Johor declares March 23 public holiday replacing Nov 22". The Star. Malaysia. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Malaysian democrats pin their hopes on the country's royals". The Economist. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Johor's Sultan Ibrahim no longer granting audiences until Jan 31". The Star. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Malaysian sultans choose new king in unique rotational monarchy". Al Jazeera. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim is new Agong for five years from January 31, 2024; Perak's Sultan Nazrin named as deputy". Malay Mail. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  31. ^ Tribute to mothers’ caring nature, 14 May 2008, The Star
  32. ^ Raja Zarith: Education more important than popularity, BEH YUEN HUI, 29 August 2008, The Star
  33. ^ Tunku Mahkota’s son named Raja Muda of Johor, The Star online, Star Publications, 9 April 2006.
  34. ^ Raja Zarith Sofiah is new Pro-Chancellor, 03-16-2003, New Sunday Times; pg 2, Section: Nation
  35. ^ Chuah Bee Kim (July 17, 2017). "Source reveals tantalising details on Tunku Tun Aminah's upcoming nuptials".
  36. ^ Royals visit special people[permanent dead link], JohorBuzz, New Straits Times
  37. ^ "Tunku Temenggong Johor appointed as regent". New Straits Times. Bernama. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  38. ^ a b c "Johor Ruler honours his children". thestar.com.my. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  39. ^ Impian puteri raja Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine, AZIMI MUSTAPHA, Rencana Utama, 13 November 2008, KOSMO!
  40. ^ "Johor's Friday-Saturday weekend - good and bad". Malaysiakini. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  41. ^ "Johor Sultan decrees Kulaijaya revert to Kulai name | The Star". www.thestar.com.my.
  42. ^ "Johor's administrative capital Nusajaya to be renamed Iskandar Puteri". Straits Times. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  43. ^ Zazali Musa (7 December 2015). "Nusajaya to be renamed Iskandar Puteri". The Star Online. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  44. ^ Ben Tan (7 December 2015). "Name changes for Johor districts". The Rakyat Post. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  45. ^ "Sultan to ban vape shops in Johor from Jan 1, AsiaOne Asia News". news.asiaone.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  46. ^ Kim, Chuah Bee (January 2, 2016). "No oversized signboards in JB [VIDEO] | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  47. ^ "10 things to know about the Sultan of Johor". The Straits Times. March 20, 2015.
  48. ^ "Johor Sultan ups stake in REDtone | The Star". www.thestar.com.my.
  49. ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com.
  50. ^ "Malaysia's Sultan of Johor becomes top shareholder in Redtone International". Reuters. March 17, 2015 – via www.reuters.com.
  51. ^ "Johor Sultan becomes 7-Eleven M'sia's 2nd largest individual shareholder | The Star". www.thestar.com.my.
  52. ^ "Johor Sultan surfaces as BAssets substantial shareholder". The Edge Markets. October 2, 2017.
  53. ^ "Johor Sultan raises stake in U Mobile - the Rakyat Post - the Rakyat Post". Archived from the original on 2016-02-21. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  54. ^ "Johor Sultan buying stake for RM250m cash in Berjaya Times Square | The Star". www.thestar.com.my.
  55. ^ "Sultan of Johor's RM4.5 bil backlash?".
  56. ^ Aw, Nigel (July 18, 2014). "Royal businesses - who is Daing A Malek?". Malaysiakini.
  57. ^ Mohd Fahmi Mohd Yusof "Gelaran dalam bahasa Malaysia 'Duli Yang Maha Mulia' bagi Sultan dan Permaisuri Johor, dikekalkan" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 5 September 2017.
  58. ^ (5 September 2017). Sultan Ibrahim had also consented to Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, Permaisuri Johor to be addressed as "Her Majesty". The Straits Times.
  59. ^ See photo
  60. ^ "Laman Web Rasmi Kemahkotaan DYMM Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Johor". kemahkotaan.johor.gov.my. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  61. ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang, dan Pingat Persekutuan".
  62. ^ "Senarai Penuh Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 1987" (PDF).
  63. ^ DK (Kedah) The Star
  64. ^ a b c d Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang, dan Pingat Persekutuan.
  65. ^ DKNS - Articles in Malay 1 : 1 Archived 2013-12-13 at the Wayback Machine, 3. Utusan (with photo)
  66. ^ "Maintenance Page".
  67. ^ King confers DK Pahang Award on Johor Sultan, receives DK Johor Award The Star
  68. ^ Sultan of Perak 82nd birthday honours list The Star
  69. ^ DK (Perlis) - Article in Malay : 1
  70. ^ Tunku Mahkota Johor dahului senarai penerima darjah kebesaran Sarawak Mstar
  71. ^ "DK I 2010". awards.selangor.gov.my.
  72. ^ Johor Sultan Heads Terengganu Honours List
  73. ^ "Johor Ruler receives Bahrain's highest award". The Star Online. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  74. ^ 柔佛苏丹依布拉欣 获陛下颁赠DKMB勋章, Article in Chinese Archived 2014-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
  75. ^ "Their Majesties in Johor for DKMB Conferment Ceremony". Borneo Post. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  76. ^ "Brunei sultan to mark 50 years on throne with lavish celebrations". New Straits Times. AFP. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  77. ^ "Sultan of Johor receives order of Sikatuna from Philippine President". Bernama. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  78. ^ Mohan, Matthew (2022-07-21). "Johor Sultan awarded honorary degree by NUS during visit to Singapore". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  79. ^ Shah, Mohd Farhaan (2023-12-02). "Johor Sultan receives honorary PhD from UTHM". The Star. Retrieved December 2, 2023.

References

  • Ali, Abdullah, Malaysian Protocol and Correct Forms of Address, published by Times Books International, 1986, ISBN 9971-65-370-2
  • Cheong, Mei Sui, Information Malaysia: 1985 Year Book,published by Berita Publishing, 1985
  • De Ledesma, Charles; Lewis, Mark; Savage, Pauline, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, published by Rough Guides, 2003, ISBN 1-84353-094-5
  • Karim, Gulrose; Tate, Desmond Muzaffar, Information Malaysia, published by Berita Publ. Sdn. Bhd., 1989
  • Kershaw, Roger, Monarchy in South-East Asia: The Faces of Tradition in Transition, published by Routledge, 2001, ISBN 0-415-18531-9
  • Morais, J. Victor, ed. (1967) [first edition published in 1956]. The Who's who in Malaysia (6 ed.).
  • Morris, Ira J., My East was Gorgeous, by Ira J. Morris, published by Travel Book Club, 1958
  • Nadarajah, K. N, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen: His Story, Pelanduk Publications, 2000, ISBN 967-978-709-5
  • Nadarajah, Nesalamar, Johore and the Origins of British Control, 1895-1914, published by Arenabuku, 2000, ISBN 967-970-318-5
  • Rahman, Abdul; Solomon, J. S., Challenging Times, published by Pelanduk Publications, 1985, ISBN 967-978-094-5
  • The International Who's Who 2004: Book with Single-User Online Access, by Elizabeth Sleeman, published by Europa Publications, Published by Routledge, 2003, ISBN 1-85743-217-7
  • Towards Relevant Education: A General Sourcebook for Teachers, published by Education Forum (Philippines), Alternative Instructional Materials Project, Education Forum, 1986, ISBN 971-91006-0-5

External links

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Regnal titles Preceded bySultan Iskandar Sultan of Johor 2010–present IncumbentHeir apparent:Tunku Ismail Idris
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