HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS 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
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE SULTAN AND SOVEREIGN RULER OF THE STATE AND TERRITORY OF JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM
Born on 22 November 1958, His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim was groomed from young to be a respectable and knowledgeable Ruler. Following the footsteps of his forefathers he participated in military and civilian training to establish a foundation for resilience, discipline and character building. His leadership qualities was evident when after completing his secondary education he participated in the Young Officers Tactical Course at the Malaysian Army Training School (PULADA) where he was made a platoon commander. Later on a special invitation he participated in the Young Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia USA, as well enrolling in an airborne and a ranger course for infantry officers. After a break of two months, HRH attended the American Special Forces Green Beret and Pathfinder Course and completed 19 parachute jumps eight of which were night jumps. He earned the prestigious Green Beret and wings. HRH is also a member of the SEAL (sea and land) team and an honorary member of KOMPASUS the Indonesian red beret after making successful parachute jumps in Bandung.
On his return to Johor, the young prince was appointed the deputy commanding officer of the Johor Military Forces. While in office, HRH enlisted as a student helicopter pilot with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Due to his outstanding capability and determination HRH was permitted to fly solo after only four hours of training, He graduated as a pilot one intake earlier than his course mates due to his exceptional capability. His father Sultan Iskandar presented his wings at a passing out parade on 26 April 1982 where he was the parade commander.
HRH enlisted and trained as a Royal Malaysian Navy officer for three months at the RMN base in Lumut, making him a fully trained army, navy and air force officer.
To complement his military training and to groom him to be a just and a respectable ruler HRH continued his quest for knowledge at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, where he completed two courses – the Southeast Asian Strategic Studies, and International Laws of the Seas.
HRH served the State government in various offices among them the State Secretariat, the Treasury, Land Office, Town and Country Planning Department, Forestry Department and Agriculture Department where he acquired knowledge on the intricacies of management and administration as a prelude to his role as a Ruler.
When his father HRH Sultan Iskandar ascended the throne of Johor, Tunku Ibrahim was appointed Heir and proclaimed as the Crown Prince on 3 July 1981. And when his father was appointed Yang DiPertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tunku Ibrahim was made the Regent of Johor from 25 April 1984 to 25 April 1989 carrying out the duties of a sovereign. It was during his tenure as Regent that he honed his skills and put into practice the discipline, knowledge and ability he had acquired to administer and rule his state.
On the demise of his father, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was proclaimed the Sultan of Johor on 23 January 2010.
His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim is married to Her Royal Highness Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah. They are blessed with six children, five boys and a girl.
- DYAM Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Mahkota Johor
- YAM Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Sultan Ibrahim
- YAM Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail Abdul Rahman Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Temenggong Johor
- YAM Tunku Abdul Jalil Iskandar Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Laksamana Johor
- YAM Tunku Abdul Rahman Hassanal Jeffri Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor
- YAM Tunku Abu Bakar Mahmood Iskandar Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Putera Johor
Besides his charming personality, HRH Tuanku Sultan Ibrahim has many attributes and accolades. This People’s Ruler is synonymous with the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion”, a charity-based activity which he inspired in 2001 when he was the Crown Prince of Johor. This high-powered motorcycle convoy known as the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion” has been made an annual event involving the YAB Menteri Besar and State Government officers who would also organise the charity projects held along the route throughout the 10 districts in the state of Johor. HRH Tuanku Sultan Ibrahim also included his family members, HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah and their princes and princess, in this programme which allows them to interact further with the people of Johor.
The inaugural Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion” was held from 2 to 4 July 2001. For three days and two nights, the entourage of 28 high-powered motorcycles journeyed throughout the entire state, covered eight districts, and travelled a total distance of 870 kilometers. This inaugural motorcycle expedition’s initial purpose was to foster closer ties between the palace and the people, as well as making it as a part of promotional stint for the local tourism industry. Following the success of the inaugural event, the then Crown Prince of Johor decreed that the it would be made an annual charity event, with its main objective of helping the less fortunate.
The Crown Prince also said that the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion” was to inculcate unity among the multiracial community in the state. Through this expedition, HRH Crown Prince could witness loyalty expressed by all his subjects – Malays, Chinese and Indians – in welcoming him throughout the state. The second instalment of this programme lasted for four days and three nights, from 25 to 28 March 2002, traversing seven districts with more than 15 destinations, clocking a distance of 1002 kilometres by land.
The third instalment of the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion” held in 2003, which lasted for four days and three nights, beginning from 8 to 11 May, carried on with the charity work. The Crown Prince of Johor donated computers, clothes and bicycles to poor schoolchildren in rural areas. Through the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion”, the people of Johor realised how fortunate they are to have such attentive and gracious royalty from the Johor palace, who never forget about their welfare and education. The Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion” was indeed a beneficial programme for both the State Government and the people of Johor at large. The state leaders and government officers who took part in this prestigious event could see for themselves and directly gather information on the aspirations and the needs of the people. Based on their own experiences and information gathered, they could therefore implement development policies that would really be beneficial to those in rural areas.
After the third instalment of the programme in 2003, which covered 1,116 kilometres, HRH Tunku Ibrahim ibni Sultan Iskandar decreed:
I did not expect that the people would be so welcoming at each destination. I am touched to see everyone took their effort to welcome the entourage and me. I am indeed heartened to see such a welcoming gesture from the people. Initially, I only wanted to carry on my father’s, HRH the Sultan of Johor’s, honourable tradition of visiting his subjects at every corner of the state. Such a rousing welcome has made me more determined to continue with the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion”. This has become a much-awaited annual programme for me to get close to my people.
Now, the Kembara Mahkota Johor: “Johor Royal Excursion” has been going on for fourteen years, via land (motorcycles, four-wheel drive, train and bus) and via sea (boats and ships).
On 5 February 2012, HRH Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar graciously decreed that the town of Muar (Bandar Maharani) as the Royal Town when he attended the Johor state level celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday at the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque, Bandar Maharani, Muar. His decree was due to several reasons.
Bandar Maharani is the second most important town after the City of Johor Bahru. It is the location of Istana Tanjung, a designated Palace Stopover for the Johor Royal Family whenever HRH Sultan is in Bandar Maharani. Since the time of the late Sultan Abu Bakar, several Sultan’s Birthday and Investiture Ceremonies had been held in Bandar Maharani. The close relationship between the palace in Johor Bahru with Muar district had led the late Sultan Abu Bakar to proclaim Muar town as Bandar Maharani on 12 August 1887. The newly proclaimed name literally means “Town of the Sultan’s Consort”, referring to Maharani Fatimah.
Since Muar town was opened in 1884, Sultan Abu Bakar and other sultans after him had always frequented Muar. Among the royalty appointed to administer Muar were HH Ungku Sulaiman, HH Ungku Abdul Majid, HH Tunku Temenggung Ahmad and HH Ungku Mohd Khalid. Bandar Maharani was chosen as the Royal Town as HRH Tuanku likes its tranquillity and harmony. HRH Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar had historically proclaimed Bandar Maharani as the Johor Royal Town on 24 November 2012, in conjunction with the celebration of his Birthday on 22 November 2012.
HRH Sultan Ibrahim is passionate about sports, especially polo. His passion has led him to participate at international championships. He is also an avid tennis player, sailor, shooter, racer and parachutist. He created history by gaining the Class 26 Train Driver’s License upon completing the 86-tonne locomotive round using a turn table device. He also received acknowledgement from the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the first Malay Ruler to officially drive a train. He received the license from Dr Aminuddin Adnan, the President of Kereta Api Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) on 29 June 2010 at the Gemas Railway Station.
His leadership, credibility and personality made him a Ruler much respected and loved by the people of Johor.
