An Affluent Sultan Who Became King Is About to Rule Malaysia
In a lavish ceremony steeped in centuries of tradition, Malaysia elevated an outspoken motorcyclist as its new king on Wednesday.
The billionaire is keen to play a major role in maintaining political stability.
Although primarily ceremonial, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s new role has played a significant role in the nation’s fractious political scene in recent years.
The monarch is the chief commander of the armed forces and the recognized head of Islam in the nation with a majority of Muslims, in addition to supervising important political appointments.
According to Bloomberg, Sultan Ibrahim and his family, who own land in Singapore and have stakes in a number of businesses including telecoms, real estate, and palm oil, are estimated to be worth at least $5.7 billion.
Sultan Ibrahim and his family are the rulers of southern Johor state.
The 65-year-old took the oath of office on Wednesday in a customary ceremony at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, while dressed in royal blue ceremonial clothing.
Sultan Ibrahim declared, “With this oath, I solemnly and truly profess to be faithful, to rule fairly for Malaysia in accordance with the laws and the constitution,” at a nationally televised event that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other members of the ruling elite were present for.
The nation’s royal family selected Sultan Ibrahim to be the future head of state last year, and a coronation ceremony is scheduled for a few months from now.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with a distinctive system whereby the rulers of nine Malaysian states, each led by a centuries-old Islamic royalty, alternate on the throne every five years.
Even though it is primarily ceremonial, the role of king has grown in importance recently.
In the aftermath of recent government collapses and hung parliaments following elections, the appointment of prime ministers has required royal intervention three times.
Ibrahim expressed his distaste for becoming a “puppet king” in a December interview with The Straits Times in Singapore.
“There are 222 legislators in the Parliament. Outside, there are more than 30 million people. He was quoted in the broadsheet as adding, “I’m with them, not with you.
“I will support the government, but if I think they are doing something improper, I will tell them.”
The king is also able to grant pardons. One of Ibrahim’s predecessors, Sultan Muhammad V, pardoned Anwar in 2018 after he had served a jail sentence for sodomy.
In Malaysia, being a king is a highly esteemed position, especially for the Malay Muslim populace.
One faces jail time for criticism that is thought to inspire contempt of the king.
Malay-British by birth, Sultan Ibrahim is a member of the affluent and influential Johor royal family, whose ruler controls a tiny private army.
He and Anwar are tight, and he has spoken out against corruption and politics in Malaysia.
It is said that Sultan Ibrahim is a moderate Muslim. He made the proprietor of a laundry facility apologize in 2017 for what he perceived to be discrimination against non-Muslims.
He is married and has six kids. He used to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle around Johor every year and give charity to the underprivileged.
In addition, he owns a sizable interest in Forest City, a $100 billion development project located off the coast of Johor.
The social media savvy king owns private jets and an extensive collection of luxury and sports vehicles. In addition to being an army, navy, and air force officer, he plays polo and studied abroad in the US.
When Sultan Iskandar, the father of Sultan Ibrahim, was crowned Malaysia’s eighth king in 1984, it was the last time a Johor sultan became king, 39 years ago.
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