Sultan Ibrahim, the wealthy and outspoken ruler of Malaysia’s Johor state, took on the role of the country’s new king in a ceremony on Wednesday. Malaysia follows a distinctive rotational monarchy system, where the heads of the nine royal families take turns being king for a five-year term.
Also Read: ‘Sleepless Nights, Fear Of Judgement’: Inside The Mental Health Crisis Among Resident Doctors
Although the monarchy traditionally holds a ceremonial position, it has gained prominence in recent years due to prolonged political instability, during which the king has wielded discretionary powers rarely used.
In the constitutional monarchy established after Malaysia gained independence from Britain, the nine rulers elect one among themselves to be the king every five years through a secret ballot. The rotation order among the sultans, initially determined by seniority, changed after each royal family completed a term.
Sultan Ibrahim, aged 65 and from the state of Johor, is now the newly sworn-in king, with a sultanate tracing back to the 16th century.
Despite the monarchy’s usual separation from politics, Sultan Ibrahim is recognized for his views on governance and maintains a good relationship with the prime minister.
He is notable for his extensive collection of luxury vehicles, diverse business interests, and involvement in a joint venture for the $100-billion Forest City project in Johor.
The monarch’s powers are primarily ceremonial, serving as the custodian of Islam in the predominantly Muslim nation. The federal constitution dictates that the king acts upon the advice of the prime minister and cabinet, with few exceptions.
While the king has the authority to appoint a prime minister, this power was seldom exercised until 2020, as premiers were typically elected.
In recent years, political upheavals have prompted the monarchy to assume a more active role, notably during Sultan Ibrahim’s predecessor’s reign. The king’s influence extends to appointing prime ministers and granting pardons, as demonstrated by the pardon of Anwar in 2018.
With former Prime Minister Najib Razak seeking a royal pardon, it remains uncertain whether the new king will review his request.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
