Malaysia's royal institution has selected Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, a prominent member of the Johor royal family from the southern state of Johor, as the nation's upcoming king. This role, though largely ceremonial, holds sway over significant appointments such as the prime minister, and encompasses the leadership of Islam in the predominantly Muslim nation. Additionally, the king serves as the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces.
Malaysia operates as a constitutional monarchy with a distinctive arrangement that involves the rotation of the throne every five years among the rulers of the nine Malaysian states, each led by centuries-old Islamic royalty. Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was designated as Malaysia's 17th king following a conference of rulers held in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
The 64-year-old monarch will officially assume office after the current king's term concludes on January 31 next year. Subsequently, a coronation ceremony will take place several months later.
This royal succession system has been in place since Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The outgoing king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, ascended to the throne in 2019.
Sultan Ibrahim comes from the affluent and influential Johor royal family, whose leader oversees a private army. He maintains a close association with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and frequently comments on matters of Malaysian politics. Notably, he is a hands-on monarch who has received comprehensive training in the army, navy, and air force. His education took him abroad to the United States.
One of the king's notable powers is the ability to grant pardons to convicted individuals. In 2018, Sultan Muhammad V, one of Sultan Ibrahim's predecessors, extended a pardon to Anwar Ibrahim, who had been serving a prison sentence on charges of sodomy.
In Malaysia, the role of the king is held in high regard, particularly among the nation's Malay Muslim majority. Any criticism that could be construed as inciting contempt toward the king carries the risk of a prison sentence.
It is worth mentioning that the last time a sultan from Johor assumed the role of king was nearly four decades ago when Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Ibrahim's father, was declared Malaysia's eighth king in 1984.
