Sultan Ibrahim and tunku Ismail arriving for the pre-council meeting of the 266th Conference of rulers at Istana Negara on July 16. — Photo courtesy of Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
TODAY, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, will be installed as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Sultan Ibrahim, 65, from Johor, is known for his forthright and outspoken nature, and will play a significant role as a stabiliser and a voice for the people.
Sultan Ibrahim took the oath and signed the instrument of office as the 17th King on Jan 31.
Here are the things you need to know about the King. The following is the official biodata of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, based on information released by the Royal Press Office.
Sultan Ibrahim was born on Nov 22, 1958, at Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Baru, and is the eldest son of Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail and Almarhumah Enche’ Besar Khalsom Abdullah.
Sultan Ibrahim signing the instrument of office during His Majesty’s swearing-in and oath-taking ceremony as the 17th King of Malaysia at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur, on Jan 31. Looking on are (seated, from left) Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Mukhriz Tuanku Munawir and Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Education
His Majesty received his early education at Tunku Ampuan Mariam Kindergarten in Johor Baru before being enrolled into Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman (1) for primary education.
Sultan Ibrahim was then sent to Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, Australia, from 1968-1970 and returned to Johor for his secondary education at English College (Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) from 1971 to 1975. His Majesty received religious education at Sekolah Agama Ayer Molek.His Majesty continued his studies at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States, where he completed two courses – Southeast Asian Strategic Studies and International Law of the Seas.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Military training
Sultan Ibrahim began training in the Young Officers Tactical Course at the Malaysian Army Training School (Pulada) in Kota Tinggi, where he was made a platoon commander. His Majesty later participated in the Young Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, in the United States, and enrolled in airborne and ranger training for infantry officers.
His Majesty then attended the American Special Forces Green Beret and Pathfinder Course, where he completed 19 parachute jumps, eight of which were executed during the night, earning him the prestigious Green Beret and wings.
Sultan Ibrahim is also a United States’ SEAL (sea, air and land) member and an honorary member of the Indonesian red beret Kopassus after making several successful parachute jumps in Bandung, Indonesia.
On his return to Johor, His Majesty underwent helicopter pilot training with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and received
his wings from his father, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, at a passing out parade on April 26, 1982.
Sultan Ibrahim then underwent a three-month training as a navy officer at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, Perak – making him a fully trained army, navy and air force officer.
Sultan Ibrahim shaking hands with the public at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Istana Besar, Johor Baru, on April 11. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Service with the state government
Sultan Ibrahim also served the Johor state government in several offices, where he learned the intricacies of management and administration as a prelude to his role as a Ruler.
Appointment as Tunku Mahkota and Regent of Johor
His Majesty was appointed heir and was proclaimed the Tunku Mahkota of Johor on July 3, 1981. From April 25, 1984, to April 25, 1989, Sultan Ibrahim was made the Regent of Johor when Almarhum Sultan Iskandar became the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
His Majesty was proclaimed the Sultan of Johor on Jan 23, 2010, upon the demise of his father, followed by the coronation ceremony on March 23, 2015.
Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, arriving for the national-level Maal Hijrah 1446H celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on July 7.
Family
Sultan Ibrahim married Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah of Perak on Sept 22, 1982.
The royal couple is blessed with six children – five princes and a princess, namely Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail; Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah; Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar; Tunku Laksamana Johor Tunku Abdul Jalil; Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman dan Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar. Tunku Abdul Jalil passed away on Dec 5, 2015 due to liver cancer.
Interests and hobbies
Sultan Ibrahim, who is also the elder brother of Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, has an interest in various cuisines and is good at cooking. His Majesty also has a passion for motoring and water activities.
Sultan Ibrahim performing prayers during a Yasin recitation and doa selamat in conjunction with His Majesty’s installation as the 17th King of Malaysia at Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur, on July 18. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page
Personality
Sultan Ibrahim’s penchant for being close to his subjects inspired him to initiate the Kembara Mahkota Johor programme during his time as Tunku Mahkota.
During disasters, especially floods, His Majesty is among the first to visit the affected areas to personally assess the situation.
Sultan Ibrahim also speaks out on issues such as cleanliness and the environment, often extending assistance in the form of food baskets to those in need.
It is also not uncommon for the people to see His Majesty stopping by hawker stalls in various districts of Johor.
