Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar sworn in as Malaysia's 17th king

Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar was sworn in as Malaysia's new king at Istana Negara on Jan 31, becoming the second ruler from the southern state to ascend the national throne.

- Zunaira Saieed

Sultan Ibrahim, who will reign for five years, is the country's 17th king. He takes on the role about four decades after his late father, Sultan Mahmud Iskandar, became king from 1984 to 1989.

Dressed in ceremonial attire, Sultan Ibrahim took the oath of office in a traditional ceremony at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur. "With this oath, I solemnly and truly profess to be faithful, to rule fairly for Malaysia in accordance with the laws and Constitutio the country," he said.

Perak's Sultan Nazrin Shah was sworn in as deputy king for the next five years, continuing in his previous role.

The ceremony was witnessed by other Malay rulers, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Deputy Prime Ministers Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof, as well as other government officials and dignitaries.

The 65-year-old King, who was elected in October 2023 by his fellow royal rulers, succeeds Pahang's Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah. The previous king ascended to the post in 2019 following the historic abdication by his predecessor, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, after just three years on the throne.

Malaysia's nine royal rulers take turns to be king for a five-year term, under a unique rotating system in place since the country's independence in 1957.

In an interview with The Straits Times in November 2023, Sultan Ibrahim said his priorities as king include stamping out corruption, proposing that the anti-graft agency should report directly to the king.

Malaysians whom ST spoke to have high hopes for the country under his upcoming five-year rule.

Business owner Tiew Swee Kim, 41, hopes Sultan Ibrahim will ensure there is political stability in the country, which he said will boost economic development and strengthen the ringgit.