27-10-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia’s royal families have chosen Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar from the southern state of Johor as the next king of the nation. While the role of the king in Malaysia is primarily ceremonial, the monarchy’s significance has grown due to ongoing political instability, prompting the incumbent king to exercise seldom-used discretionary powers.
Malaysia has a unique system where the heads of the country’s nine royal families take turns serving as the monarch for a five-year term. In this Southeast Asian nation, the king serves as the head of state in its parliamentary democracy.
Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled to assume his role as king on January 31, 2024, as confirmed by the keeper of the rulers’ seal in a statement released on Friday, October 27.
What sets Sultan Ibrahim apart from other traditional Malaysian rulers is his vocal stance on political matters and his reportedly good relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Beyond his royal duties, Sultan Ibrahim is known for his extensive collection of luxury cars and motorcycles. He is also involved in diverse business ventures, spanning from real estate to mining.
The outgoing King Al-Sultan Abdullah took an unusually active role in Malaysian politics, influencing the selection of the country’s last three prime ministers.
Malaysia’s federal constitution grants the monarch limited discretionary powers, with the king generally expected to act upon the advice of the prime minister and cabinet. However, the constitution does allow the king to appoint a prime minister of his choosing, provided that individual has a parliamentary majority. This power was never exercised until 2020, as the premier was typically determined through elections.
King Al-Sultan invoked these powers during a period of political upheaval, triggered by the defeat of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had governed Malaysia continuously since its independence until 2018.
Additionally, the king possesses the authority to grant pardons to individuals convicted of crimes. In 2018, Al-Sultan’s predecessor, Sultan Muhammad V, issued a pardon for Anwar Ibrahim, who was imprisoned on charges of sodomy and corruption, which he asserted were politically motivated.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was imprisoned last year on a corruption conviction linked to the 1MDB state fund scandal, has submitted a request for a royal pardon. This appeal may be reviewed by the incoming king.
