The 17th king of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor, has been formally proclaimed.

The nine sultans of the nation met on Friday at the Conference of Rulers and came to a decision. Sultan Ibrahim will be formally installed on January 31, 2024.

With this momentous appointment, Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy enters a new phase.

 

The keeper of the Royal Seal announced that Sultan Ibrahim will become His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVII on January 31, 2024, and hold the position for five years.

“I hereby inform that the Conference of Rulers, during its 263rd (Special) Meeting, held at the National Palace on Friday, October 27, 2023, has agreed to declare that His Royal Highness Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan of Johor Darul Ta’zim, has been chosen as His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVII for a period of five years commencing from Jan 31, 2024,” the keeper of the Royal Seal said in a statement

 

Sultan Ibrahim’s royal lineage is rooted in the early 16th century, with the Johor royal family boasting a private army.

For many Malays, particularly in rural areas, the monarchy remains a powerful symbol of identity.

Sultans are the guardians of Islam in their respective states, while the king serves as the protector of the religion in regions without hereditary monarchs. These roles underscore the deep connection between Malaysia’s Malays and their faith.