Johor

Last modified: 8 February 2024

The country

The state is formally known as Johor Darul Takzim, but usually called Johor. The state is being reigned by the Bendahara dynasty.

The Sultanate of Johor was founded in the early 16th century by Alauddin Riayat Shah II. He was the son of Mahmud Shah, the last Sultan of Malacca. After some succession struggles alliances were made with friendly Malay states and the Dutch. In 1641 they managed to capture Malacca. The state became less powerful as of the late 17th century and in the 18th century the Bugis of Sulawesi and the Minangkabau of Sumatra took control of the Johor-Riau Empire.

In 1819 the empire was divided into Johor and the Sultanate of Riau-Lingga. In 1855 the British and Johor gave Dato’ Temenggong Daing Ibrahim control of the state. His son was formally crowned Sultan of Johor in 1886. He is regarded the father of Modern Johor. Also Johor was conquered by the Japanese in World War II. In 1948 it joined the Federation of Malay. Nowadays Johor is the fifth largest state of Malaysia.

Sovereign

The current sovereign is Ibrahim Ismail, 25th Sultan of Johor. His full name is Sultan Dan Yang Dipertuan Bagi Negeri Dan Jajahan Takluk Johor Darul Ta’zim. He was born at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, on 22 November 1958. He had been Crown Prince since 4 July 1981. He was regent of Johor between 26 April 1984 and 25 April 1989, when his father was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. He was appointed the regent of Johor again hours before the death of his father.

He is the son of Iskandar, 24th Sultan of Johor (1932-2010) and his first wife Josephine Ruby Trevorrow (1934-2018) who was known as Kalsom binti Abdullah.

Enthronement

Sultan Ibrahim Ismail succeeded his father after his death on 22 January 2010.

He was installed as Sultan of Johor at the Istana Besar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, on 23 January 2010. The coronation took place on 23 March 2015 at the Bilik Singgahsana (throne room) at the Istana Besar.

He was elected the 17th Yang-di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia on 26 October 2023, and began his five-year-term on 31 January 2024.

Other details

The motto of Johor is Kepada Allah Berserah, which means To Allah We Surrender.

The Sultan is a Muslim (Sunni).

Marriage and descendants

Sultan Ibrahim Ismail is married to Raja Zarith Sofiah of Perak (born 1959) since 1982. Since 2010 she is titled Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah. As Queen of Malaysia she is Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah Queen of Malaysia as of 31 January 2024.

Their children:

Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar (born 1984)
Tunku Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (born 1986). She is married since 2017 to Dennis Verbaas, who is known as Dennis Muhammad Abdullah. They have issue, a daughter, Layla Sofiah (born 2020) and a son (born 2022).
Tunku Idris (born 1987). He was granted the title of Tunku Temenggong on 26 February 2010.
Tunku Abdul Jalil Iskandar (1990-2015). He was granted the title of Tunku Laksamana Johor on 22 November 2012.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Hassanal Jeffri (born 1993). He was granted the title of Tunku Panglima Johor on 22 November 2012.
Tunku Abu Bakar Mahmood Iskandar (born 2001). He was granted the title of Tunku Putera Johor on 22 November 2012.

Abdul Jalil (until his death in 2015), Abdul Rahman and Abu Bakar are “the other heirs” and are eligible to take the place of the Crown Prince.

Heir to the throne

Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar was born at Johor Bahru on 30 June 1984. He was appointed the Raja Muda (heir to the Crown Prince) of Johor by his grandfather on 8 April 2006. He was appointed the Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor on 26 January 2010. He became regent of Johor on 31 January 2024.

Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar is married to Cik Khaleeda Bustamam (born 1993) since 2014. Since her marriage she was called Che’ Puan Khaleeda Bustamam. On 31 December 2023 she received the title Her Highness Tunku Mahkota Johor Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Bustamam.

Their issue:

Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah (born 2016)
Tunku Iskander Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim (born 2017)
Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim (born 2019)
Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah (born 2021)

Postal address

Istana Bukit Serene
Johor Bahru
Johor
Malaysia

Succession

The succession is restricted to the male descendants of Sultan Abu Bakar. The ruler of Johor must be a male of the Malay race and of the Muslim faith. In case there are no male descendants left, or they are disqualified from the line of succession, the male descendants of Temenggong Ibrahim will inherit the throne. If there are no male descendants of Temenggong Ibrahim, the male descendants of Temenggong Abdul Rahman will eligible for the throne. The mother of the descendants doesn’t have to be of royal blood. Female descendants of the Temenggong and male descendants of female members are excluded from succession.

Upon his accession to the throne the Sultan of Johor, on advice of the Council of the Royal Court, will choose and appoint among his descendants the heir apparent. Following the death of a Sultan of Johor, the Supporters of the Country will meet and confirm the Heir Apparent as the successor to the throne. The successor will then take an oath of office. Prior to the royal funeral, the Menteri Besar proclaims the Heir Apparent as Sultan followed by three shouts of “Daulat Tuanku”. The sovereign’s standard is raised in full, and a short while later, lowered to half mast as a sign of mourning. The proclamation confirms the legitimacy and sovereignty of the sultan. His coronation may be held at any time he so desires. Sultan Iskandar was never crowned.

In case a ruler is insane, or is speech, sight or hearing impaired, or in possession of any base or derogatory quality under Syariah law, he will not qualify to become a sovereign. A ruler should also not be disposed or overthrown during his absence or when he is medically indisposed. In that case a regent (Pemangku Raja) can be appointed. In case a ruler is below the age of 21 years the Council of the Royal Court will appoint a Council of Regency (Jumaah Pangkuan Raja) to perform the royal duties.

Titles

The ruler is Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of the State and Territory of Johor, and styled His Royal Highness. His wife is Duli Yang Amat Mulia Sultanah Johor Dar ul-Takzim (Sultana of Johor) and styled Her Royal Highness. The heir apparent is Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Putra Tengku Mahkota Johor Dar ul-Takzim (Crown Prince of Johor) and styled His Highness. His consort is Tengku Ampuan Besar, and styled Her Highness. The heir presumptive is Yang Amat Mulia Raja Muda Johor Dar ul-Takzim, and styled His Highness. The other sons of a Sultan are Yang Amat Mulia Paduka Putra Tunku … (personal name) bin … (father’s title and name), which could be translated with Prince, and are styled His Highness. Daughters of a Sultan are Yang Amat Mulia Paduka Putri Tunku … (personal name) binti … (father’s title and name), which could be translated with Princess, and are styled Her Highness. A regent is titled Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Pemangku Raja Johor Dar ul-Takzim (Prince Regent) and styled His Highness. Other male members of the royal family in male line are Yang Mulia Tunku … (personal name) bin … (father’s title and name). Other female members of the royal family in male line are Yang Mulia Tunku … (personal name) binti … (father’s title and name). Other more remote members of the family in male line are titled Ungku.

The Sultans of Johor

Temenggung Daing Ibrahim ( -1862)	1855-1862
Abu Bakar (1833-1895)	1862-1895
Ibrahim (1873-1959)	1895-1959
Ismail (1894-1981)	1959-1981
Iskandar (1932-2010)	1981-2010
Ibrahim Ismail (1958- )	2010-