The billionaire Sultan of Johor state has been sworn in as Malaysia's new king under the country's unique alternating monarchy.
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (65 years old) took the constitutional oath in the palace and signed the document announcing his assumption of office in a ceremony witnessed by other royal families, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and members of the Council of Ministers.
The coronation ceremony will be held at a later date.
Under this unique system, the heads of Malaysia's nine royal families take turns assuming the position of king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, every five years.
Photo: Reuters
Sultan Ibrahim, known for his extensive collection of luxury cars and motorcycles, has wide-ranging business interests from property to mining, including a stake in Forest City – a £79bn Chinese-backed reclamation and land development project off Johor.
The new king has close ties with Anwar, and his rule could strengthen the prime minister's unified government, which faces strong Islamist opposition.
Photo: Reuters
Before his inauguration, Sultan Ibrahim told Singapore's Straits Times that he intended to be an active king, and suggested that Malaysia's state oil company Petroliam Nasional and the country's anti-corruption agency report directly to the king.
He also spoke about his plans to revive the stalled high-speed rail link project between Malaysia and Singapore, with a border crossing through Forest City.
Photo: Reuters
Prime Minister Ibrahim later downplayed the significance of these remarks, saying that all opinions could be discussed without ignoring the federal constitution, state media reported.
Sultan Ibrahim assumes his duties as king amid renewed political tensions in Malaysia.
The country has witnessed ongoing political unrest since 2018 when the then-ruling National Front coalition was ousted from power for the first time since independence, prompting the king to play a greater role.
Photo: Reuters
Nine Malay state rulers alternated to assume the position of king for five years under the only system of its kind in the world since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957.
The election of Sultan Ibrahim to the national throne by his fellow rulers in October was widely expected based on the rotation system in place.
Sultan Nasrin, ruler of Perak and next in line to the throne, was re-elected viceroy.
