In a momentous event yesterday (Jan 31), Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar officially commenced his reign as the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA), where it will last for the next five years.
Sultan Ibrahim is poised to make a remarkable impact on local politics, with a bold vow to eradicate corruption within the government.
To delve deeper into the persona of our new King, here are some fascinating facts you should know about this powerful figure:
1. Has Malay-British roots
Sultan Ibrahim is a descendant of Malay-British parents. In 1956, his father, Sultan Iskandar ibni Sultan Ismail, met Josephine Ruby Trevorrow while studying in Britain.
Following her marriage to Sultan Iskandar, Josephine embraced Islam and adopted the name Kalsom binti Abdullah. They had four kids together, with Sultan Ibrahim being the third child.
2. The previous Queen is his sister
Did you know that Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, our former Queen, is the youngest sister of Sultan Ibrahim? Yes, it’s true. And the bond between these siblings is truly indescribable.
One moment that deeply touched Malaysians took place last year when Tunku Azizah shed tears of joy after Sultan Ibrahim was elected as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Being emotional after receiving the good announcement, she walked directly towards her brother, exchanging warm greetings and embracing him tightly. Sultan Ibrahim then passed his handkerchief to his sister for her to wipe away the tears.
3. Drove the last train from the Tanjong Pagar railway station
According to a source, Sultan Ibrahim drove the last train departing from Tanjong Pagar railway station back on June 30, 2011.
Under the guidance from Chief Locomotive Inspector Hasnol Azahari Aman, he prepared for this special journey, bringing along around 600 passengers. The passengers included Johor royalty, officials, KTM staff, train enthusiasts, and journalists who joined in for this farewell trip.
4. Initiated Kembara Mahkota Johor
Founded in 2011, the Royal Journey of Johor, or Kembara Mahkota Johor, was established by Sultan Ibrahim during his time as the Crown Prince of Johor. Encouraged by his father, Sultan Iskandar, the initiative aimed to traverse every corner of Johor, fostering connections with the local community.
During this yearly expedition, Sultan Ibrahim takes charge, leading a group of motorcyclists on a journey spanning hundreds of kilometers across all 10 districts of Johor.
5. Is the 2nd largest shareholder of Berjaya Assets Bhd
As reported by The Edge, in 2017, Sultan Ibrahim has emerged as the second-largest individual shareholder of Berjaya Assets Bhd (BAssets), where he holds a significant 10.09% direct stake.
The acquisition involves the purchase of 80 million shares, constituting a 6.7% stake in BAssets through direct business transactions. Following this share acquisition, Sultan Ibrahim’s overall ownership in BAssets that stands at 10.09%, which is equivalent to 120 million shares.
6. Owns a few fancy license plate numbers
Sultan Ibrahim is well known for his successful bids on distinctive number plates.
In 2012, the Road Transport Department announced that Sultan Ibrahim held the record for the most expensive license plate in the country’s history, having paid RM520,000 for the WWW1 plate.
Subsequently, in 2016, he secured the ‘F1’ license plate with a winning bid of RM836,660, and in 2017, he obtained the VR46 plate with a bid of RM55,002.20.
Last year, Sultan Ibrahim acquired the ‘FF1’ vehicle number plate through a successful bid of RM1.2 million. This set a new record, making ‘FF1’ the priciest license plate ever issued for a single vehicle in Malaysia.
7. An avid car enthusiast
Aside from car number plates, the Sultan and Crown Prince of Johor boast of an extensive car collection, where they collectively own a total of 379 vehicles. This ranges from antique cars dating back to the 1890s to the latest models and collector exotic cars.
Among some of the cars owned by Sultan Ibrahim include the Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06, Genesis G90 Limousine, Bugatti Veyron, Mack Super-Liner Sleeper, and Morgan Three Wheeler.
8. Was highly trained in the military
Aside from being from the royal family, Sultan Ibrahim is also known to be a decorated military man and was chosen as platoon commander during his training at the Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) in Ulu Tiram, Johor.
He excelled in training programs at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in the United States. These included specialized courses by the US Special Forces and US Army Pathfinder Course, where he successfully completed 19 parachute jumps, with eight of them being performed in the dark.
He also earned a prestigious wing designation and a promotion to the Commander position.
Sultan Ibrahim is also a commissioned member of the US Navy SEAL team and an honorary member of Indonesia’s Commando Special Forces (Kopassus) after completing air jumps in Bandung, Indonesia.
He also underwent helicopter pilot training with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and participated in a three-month training program with the Royal Malaysian Navy in Lumut, Perak.
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