Reigning with vision and compassion

The Star

2 days ago

KNOWN for his frankness and deep compassion for his subjects, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has never hesitated to speak up when the welfare of the people is at stake.
Since ascending the Johor throne in 2010, His Majesty has consistently demonstrated a strong and independent voice even when addressing controversial matters, including calling out political figures who sow disunity.
His Majesty is now serving a five-year term as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, beginning on Jan 31, 2024.
In the past, Sultan Ibrahim made headlines when, upon realising the harm vaping could cause, His Majesty ordered a ban on the sale of vapes, vape liquids and e-cigarettes in the state, effective from 2016.
Johor was the first state in the country to carry out such a bold move.
In 2017, Sultan Ibrahim also ordered a launderette in Muar to immediately end its discriminatory 'Muslims-only' policy, warning that failure to comply would lead to its closure.
Sultan Ibrahim also criticised a former Cabinet minister for giving a political talk in a mosque, emphasising that mosques in Johor should remain free from political influence.
The King paying a visit to a residential area struck by a gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, in April this year. During the visit, His Majesty also handed out aid to affected victims through the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim's official Facebook page
The Ruler has repeatedly emphasised inclusiveness.
In 2023, following allegations that a school in Johor Baru had invited only Muslim students to a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia workshop, His Majesty decreed that no public programme should exclude anyone based on race or religion.
Sultan Ibrahim is active in using social media – particularly Facebook, where his official page has over 1.1 million followers – as a platform to share his thoughts about issues close to his heart, such as environmental cleanliness and public health.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sultan Ibrahim appealed for calm and urged the public to comply with the Health Ministry's standard operating procedures.
His Majesty also urged teachers to get vaccinated in order to help prevent the spread of the virus among students.
A strong advocate of racial harmony, Sultan Ibrahim has also championed the Bangsa Johor concept to foster unity among the state's multiracial communities.
His Majesty has consistently insisted on inclusive representation from Malay, Chinese and Indian non-governmental organisations for programmes such as the annual Kembara Mahkota Johor expedition.
Despite his commanding presence, His Majesty is also known for his compassion.
Those who have met Sultan Ibrahim often describe him as a warm and approachable leader, known for his ready smile and good sense of humour.
His softer side is most evident when the King listens to the struggles of his people, often moved to tears by their stories.
Sultan Ibrahim greeting people during the Istana Johor Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house held at Istana Besar in Johor Baru in April this year. Despite the hot and humid weather, thousands of people attended the event.
In the aftermath of the tragic 2016 fire at Sultanah Aminah Hospital that claimed six lives, the Ruler offered the Royal Ward to temporarily house affected patients.
Similarly, during the 2019 chemical pollution crisis in Pasir Gudang, the Johor royal family visited victims multiple times and ensured that aid was provided to them.
In 2023, when severe floods struck Johor, His Majesty cut short a private trip to Turkiye to return home early. Even while abroad, the King remained in constant communication with the state government and instructed the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation to provide assistance.
Over the years, the foundation has contributed more than RM170mil in aid, including 103,000 tents prepared in anticipation of floods in Johor and other states.
During the Covid-19 crisis, both His Majesty and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, showed unwavering support for Johoreans facing hardship.
Johor Council of Royal Court president and long-time royal aide Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Ramli described Sultan Ibrahim as someone who is close to the people, a trait that has long been the hallmark of the Johor Sultanate.
'They like to meet people. That's why the palaces in Johor are built within populated areas, not far away on a hill. They want the palace to be accessible to the rakyat,' he said.
During the King's visits to meet his subjects in the districts, Abdul Rahim said Sultan Ibrahim would enter people's homes and sit cross-legged on the floor, enjoying simple dishes such as nasi putih, asam pedas, sambal belacan and ikan kering.
Abdul Rahim, who is set to publish his sixth book on the royal family and Johor traditions, added that while each Johor Sultan has a unique personality, they all share a deep and unwavering commitment to the welfare of their people.
Sultan Ibrahim having a discussion with Abdul Rahim at Rumah Danga in Johor. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim's official Facebook page
'They never want anyone to be marginalised. They always put the people first,' he said, adding that Sultan Ibrahim wants the people to have progressive ideas, discipline, high integrity and the spirit of cooperation.
Abdul Rahim said that Sultan Ibrahim is also very detail-oriented. For example, when an event is being organised, His Majesty would want to see three types of menus for him to choose from.
When asked about the duties of the royal court, Abdul Rahim said the royal court was established under the state constitution to provide advice to the Ruler.
'In that sense, the Ruler is the Regent now. At the same time, we also have a dual role in advising Sultan Ibrahim, and most of our duties usually involve family matters.
'We plan the birthdays and handle matters when there is a birth or even a death,' said Abdul Rahim, who is among 12 members of the council.
Known for his astute business acumen and strong leadership, Sultan Ibrahim aims to transform Johor into Malaysia's next key economic hub after the Klang Valley.
Sultan Ibrahim was crowned the fifth modern Sultan of Johor in March 2015, marking the first coronation in the state since that of his grandfather, Almarhum Sultan Ismail, in 1960.
A seasoned investor with diverse local and international ventures, the Ruler often includes state officials and heads of government-linked companies on his trips to explore opportunities that benefit Johor.
Beyond governance, His Majesty has a passion for vintage and modern cars and motorcycles, many of which are housed in his palace garages.
One of his prized achievements is the unique Istana Flintstones in Mersing – a 24-ha palace inspired by the classic animated series, complete with a nine-storey lighthouse overlooking the sea. The palace has since become a tourist attraction in the coastal town.
The Ruler's bond with his people is further strengthened through the Kembara Mahkota Johor, a royal expedition initiated in 2001 aimed at fostering closer ties between the royal family and the public.
Although the programme has been on hold since 2020 due to the pandemic, it remains a signature initiative close to His Majesty's heart.
His passion for sports, especially polo, is also well documented. In his younger years, His Majesty participated in matches not only in Malaysia but also in Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines.
The King earned the distinction of being the best polo player in Asia during the Polo World Qualifiers in the 1990s.
Besides that, Sultan Ibrahim also enjoys parasailing, boating (jet ski), parachuting, shooting and driving sports cars.
His Majesty once won a falling plate shooting event organised by the army at the Malaysian Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) in Johor.
According to Abdul Rahim, His Majesty parachuted out of a plane 19 times during his American Special Forces training which earned him a Green Beret and wings.
'Very few leaders have undergone such training,' he said, adding that Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has done nine such jumps as part of his own training.
Sultan Ibrahim, who is the third of 10 children and the eldest son, was born at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru on Nov 22, 1958.
His Majesty received his formal education at Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman (1) before moving on to Trinity Grammar School in Australia and later to the United States to further his studies in law and diplomacy.
Sultan Ibrahim also obtained his religious education from Sekolah Agama Air Molek in Johor Baru.
His Majesty conferred Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (left) with the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama during an audience at Istana Negara in January this year. — Photo from Sultan Ibrahim's official Facebook page
After completing his secondary education, the King underwent basic military training at Pusat Latihan Darat in Kota Tinggi, Johor, for three months.
The King also underwent military training in the United States – first at Fort Benning, Georgia, and later at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon completion, Sultan Ibrahim was appointed deputy commander of the Johor Military Force.
Sultan Ibrahim has trained and served in both the Air Force and Navy and is a qualified Green Beret commando in both Malaysia and the United States. The Ruler is also a US Navy SEAL, an honorary member of Indonesia's Kopassus Red Berets and a fully certified divemaster.
As part of preparations for kingship, Sultan Ibrahim joined the Johor Civil Service and served in various departments, including the district office, as well as the land, health and treasury departments.
In 1981, Sultan Ibrahim was proclaimed the Tunku Mahkota of Johor. His Majesty is married to Raja Zarith Sofiah, a Perak princess and Oxford University graduate, who also serves as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
The couple is blessed with six children – Tunku Ismail, 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.