Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has been crowned as Malaysia’s new king. After his election in October 2023 and an initial ceremony at the end of January 2024, the coronation ceremony has now been celebrated.
In Malaysia, a new king is ceremonially elected every five years. Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, 65, is assuming this position for the first time. He was elected to this office in October of the previous year after the country’s nine sultans met at the Rulers’ Conference. Following his swearing-in in January 2024, Ibrahim Iskandar was crowned on July 20 in Kuala Lumpur.
He is the new king of Malaysia: Who is Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar?
In his speech, Malaysia’s new king promised to uphold the country’s constitution as well as “maintain the religion of Islam and ensure peace in Malaysia,” according to “Der Spiegel.” The Italian portal “Il Messaggero” also reports that Iskandar spoke “against corruption and racial discrimination.”
On Instagram, the official account of the royal couple informs about His Majesty’s coronation. It states: “Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim was crowned today (July 20) in a traditional and customary ceremony at the Balairung Seri Istana Negara [the Royal Museum, ed.].” The Sultan has been married to Raja Zarith Sofiah, 64, since 1982, who became the Queen of Malaysia through the coronation. She studied at Oxford and is the author of several children’s books. Together, Ibrahim Iskandar and his wife have five sons and one daughter.
The 65-year-old is one of the richest men in Malaysia, explains “Il Messaggero” on the occasion of his ascension to the throne. It mentions a “vast business empire,” which in Iskandar’s case is said to range “from real estate to telecommunications.” The new king comes from the state of Johor in southern Malaysia, a region bordering Singapore. The media company “Bloomberg” estimates Iskandar and his family’s fortune to be 5.7 billion dollars (approximately 5.3 billion euros). Furthermore, the new king is said to maintain a good relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, 76.
In the Asian country, Iskandar is known for his annual motorcycle tours through Malaysia. The goal of these tours is to foster a good relationship with the people. Besides numerous motorcycles, Iskandar owns luxury cars, a fleet of private jets, and – as the only one among the nine rulers – a small private army.
What influence does the king have in Malaysia?
Around 700 guests traveled to Kuala Lumpur for Iskandar’s coronation, including Hassanal Bolkiah, 78, the Sultan of Brunei, his son Prince Mateen, 32, with his wife YM Dayang Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, 29, and Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, 74, the first King of Brunei. On his Instagram account, Prince Mateen shares several images of the coronation, showing him alongside his wife and in conversation with other guests.
The monarchy system is unique worldwide: The country comprises 13 states, nine of which have royal families. Malaysia gained independence from Great Britain in 1957. Since then, the nine rulers have alternated as king for a five-year term. The monarch is also referred to as Yang di-Pertuan Agong and primarily has a ceremonial role in Malaysia. Administrative power is vested in the Prime Minister and Parliament.
As king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar is the nominal head of government and the armed forces and is highly regarded as the protector of Islam and regional traditions. All laws require the king’s consent, and he also has the power to declare a state of emergency and pardon criminals.
