Tunku Ismail Idris

HRH The Regent of Johor (born 1984)
Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda
​
​
(m. 
Regnal name
Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim
HouseTemenggong JohorFatherSultan IbrahimMotherRaja Zarith SofiahReligionIslamMilitary careerNickname(s)TMJAllegiance Sultan of JohorService/branch Royal Johor Military Force
 Indian ArmyYears of service2003–present
(active service)Rank Major General (JMF)
Captain (Indian Army)Unit61 Cavalry, Jaipur
Johor Military ForcesAwardsBest in riding (2003–2004)
Royal family of Johor

The King
The Queen

  • Tunku Puteri Kamariah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the Tunku Puteri and Tengku Puan Laksamana of Selangor
    Tengku Sulaiman Shah, the Tengku Laksamana of Selangor
    • Tengku Shakirinal Amin Mahmud Ismail Ahmad Shah
    • Tengku Salehuddin Ismail Shah, the Tengku Indera Bijaya Diraja of Selangor
    • Tengku Shahrain Ismail Ibrahim Iskandar Hishamuddin Shah
    • Tengku Sharifuddin Ibrahim Ismail Iskandar Abdul Aziz Shah
    • Tengku Kathira Zanariah Ihsan Maimunah Aminah Iskandar Putri
  • Tunku Besar Zabedah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the Tunku Besar
  • Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang
    Al-Sultan Abdullah, the Sultan of Pahang
    • Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang
    • Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah, the Tengku Arif Bendahara of Pahang
    • Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu'adzam Shah, the Tengku Panglima Perang of Pahang
    • Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafidzatullah, the Tengku Puteri Raja of Pahang
    • Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah Athiyatullah, the Tengku Puteri Raja of Pahang
  • The Tunku Aris Bendahara
    Tunku Teh Mazni of Kedah and Kelantan
    • Tunku Mahmood Iskandar
    • Tunku Aisha Menjalara Iskandar
    • Tunku Abdul Mateen Idris Ismail Ibrahim Iskandar
  • Tunku Mariam Zahrah
  • Tunku Noraini Fatimah
  • Tunku Maimuna Ismailiah
  • Tunku Muna Najiah
  • Tunku Amina Kalsom Masera Marian Zahira Iskandariah
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Major General Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim (Jawi: تونكو إسماعيل ابن سلطان إبراهيم; born 30 June 1984) is a member of the Johor royal family who is the Regent (Pemangku Sultan) and Crown Prince (Tunku Mahkota) of Johor as well as the heir apparent to the throne of Johor. He is the eldest son of Sultan Ibrahim and the Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah.[1] He is also the grandson of both Sultan Iskandar of Johor and Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak.

He became the Regent of Johor upon the accession of his father to the throne as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia on 31 January 2024. He was officially proclaimed the Regent of Johor on 28 January 2024.[2][3]

He is also a half third cousin of Sultan Nazrin Shah, the current Sultan of Perak since both share a common male ancestor Idris Shah I of Perak. He is also a grandnephew as well as nephew by marriage of Al-Sultan Abdullah, the current Sultan of Pahang and an 11th cousin of Tengku Muhammad Ismail, the Crown Prince of Terengganu since they both share a common male ancestor Tun Habib Abdul Majid.

Biography

Early life and education

Tunku Ismail completed his early education at Sekolah Sri Utama and Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan St. Joseph in Johor Bahru. He subsequently received lower secondary education at the Australian International School in Singapore and continued with his higher secondary studies at Hale School in Perth, Western Australia, until 2002.[1][4] Tunku Ismail is the eldest among six siblings. Like his father, Tunku Ismail has no tertiary (academic) qualification.

Tunku Ismail was appointed Raja Muda (literally means "Younger King",[1] but taken to mean as second heir apparent or son of the Crown Prince) on 8 April 2006 by his grandfather, the late Sultan of Johor, and placing him second in line to the throne (Now first in line after the passing of Sultan Iskandar).[1][4] Tunku Ismail was appointed as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor on 28 January 2010.[5]

Career and interests

Following a family tradition of getting trained in armed forces,[6] with his late grandfather in the Malaysian Army and father in the US Army, Tunku Ismail aspired for a career in the Indian Armed Forces.[7] In July 2003, he enrolled as a cadet officer in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), India's premier military training school located at Dehradun.[1] He was commissioned as a lieutenant in December 2004 and absorbed into the Indian Army. He was promoted to the rank of captain in December 2007.[8] His father and grandfather also had trained at IMA.[9]

The Malaysian prince is the first foreigner to lead a unit of the Indian Army in the Indian Republic Day Parade.[7][10][11] On 26 January 2007, with a rank of captain in Indian Army, he led a mounted column of Jaipur-based 61 Cavalry regiment to salute president of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam during the Republic Day celebrations.[10] The president himself chose Tunku Ismail to lead the unit of around 400 men of the world's only non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry.[8] The parade was witnessed by chief guest of the day president of Russia Vladimir Putin and his entourage, along with other dignitaries of Indian politics and military amidst tight security.[8][12] Tunku Ismail's father Tunku Ibrahim Ismail flew in from Johor Bahru on 23 January 2007 to be present at the celebrations while his son added a chapter to the history of the Indian Army.[12]

A polo enthusiast, Tunku Ismail is a skilful horse rider. He was bestowed the Best in Riding award among IMA cadets between 2003 and 2004. He is also a polo player for his regiment and has won many trophies.[1] In football, he is the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C..[13]

The prince is also a sports car enthusiast. All of his cars are registered under the same licence plate of "TMJ", an abbreviation from the title Tunku Mahkota Johor which is also his nickname as addressed informally by Malaysians within and outside Johor.

He is noted for his religious moderation and veiled criticism of more conservative Muslims who denounced him for shaking hands with women in 2016.[14]

On 2 December 2022, Tunku Ismail was installed as the Chancellor of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) at the first session of the university’s 22nd convocation at Dewan Sultan Ibrahim.[15]

On 13 December 2023, Tunku Ismail was proclaimed as the Pro Chancellor of Kolej Universiti Islam Johor Sultan Ibrahim (KUIJSI) at the university's 21st convocation at the Johor Persada International Convention Centre.[16]

Sports

As President of Johor Football Association

His Royal Highness the Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor, Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim has been appointed as the President of Johor Football Association (PBNJ). The EGM held in Johor Bahru saw the Crown Prince appointed as the new president replacing the former, Jais Sarday. Among his plans to help bring back Johorean football to its former glory, the Crown Prince merged the Johor teams (which previously were Johor FC, MBJB and MP Muar) into only one where all of the players wear the Jengking (Scorpion) Team Jersey. .[citation needed]

Tunku Ismail's leadership on the club Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C also oversaw its success as the first Southeast Asian club to lift the AFC Cup in 2015.[17]

As FAM Presidential Advisor and President of FAM

In 2014, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) appointed the Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as an advisor to the previous FAM president, his uncle, Sultan Abdullah of Pahang. Tunku Ismail assisted and worked hand in hand with FAM in improving the quality of football within the country, particularly with the national team as well as the junior teams.

As predicted, there were several concerns about the news, particularly with Tunku Ismail having lost the FAM presidency election to Tengku Abdullah earlier that year. Besides that, he had been extremely vocal with his criticisms on the nation's footballing body. However, the then Johor FA president was extremely optimistic about the new role, claiming that he will only be pushing for the betterment of football within the country.[18]

He was elected as President of FAM for a short term from 2017 to 2018.

Controversies

Alleged assault

On 24 October 2008, reports surfaced about a confrontation and a royal scuffle which allegedly occurred in a nightclub at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuala Lumpur between two princes. Tunku Nadzimuddin, a member of the Negeri Sembilan royal family household, filed a police report accusing of a Johor royal whom he identified the culprit to be Tunku Ismail; for initiating the confrontation and assaulting him in the face and head. A friend of Tunku Nadzimuddin, Shamshudhuha Ishak, a lawyer, filed another police report accusing of Tunku Ismail's bodyguards of assaulting him and losing two teeth in the process.[19]

The following September, Tunku Nadzimuddin lodged a complaint against the police and the Attorney-General's chambers for not responding to the police report that he had made earlier for a RM50 million monetary settlement over the alleged episode. In a press interview, Tunku Nadzimuddin claimed that he was roughed up by Tunku Ismail and his bodyguards after the a friend of Tunku Ismail called Tunku Nadzimuddin that he had wanted to apologise over a bottle-throwing incident, while Tunku Nadzimuddin was partying. Tunku Nadzimuddin looked for Tunku Ismail with Shamshudhuha, but they were quickly assaulted by Tunku Ismail's bodyguards. Shamshudhuha was beaten unconscious, while Tunku Nadzimuddin was threatened by Tunku Ismail with a pistol pointing to his head, and led to a hotel room where they were confined. The police later arrived after Tunku Nadzimuddin called for his mother. The Johor royalty denied Tunku Nadzimuddin's claims, and stated that Tunku Ismail was barred from meeting Tunku Nadzimuddin that night for security reasons.[20][21]

Personal life

On 24 October 2014, Tunku Ismail married Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda at Istana Bukit Serene in a private ceremony. The solemnisation ceremony was performed by Johor mufti Dato' Mohd Tahrir Samsudin. The royal wedding reception took place at the Istana Besar on 8 November 2014.[22]

The couple's first child is a daughter, Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah, born on 25 June 2016. Their second child, a son, Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim, was born 14 October 2017. A third child and second son, Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim, was born on 17 July 2019. A fourth child and second daughter, Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah, was born on 21 April 2021.

Titles and styles

Styles of
Tunku Ismail
Reference styleHis Royal Highness
Spoken styleYour Royal Highness
Alternative styleTuanku

Tunku Ismail's full style and title in Malay: Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Mahkota Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.J, S.S.I.J, S.M.J., P.I.S, Pemangku Sultan Johor[23][24]

in English: His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.J, S.S.I.J, S.M.J., P.I.S, Regent of Johor[25][26]

Honours

Issue

Name Born Place birth Age
Her Highness Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah Binti Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar (2016-06-25)25 June 2016 Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor 7 years
His Royal Highness Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim Ibni Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar (2017-10-14)14 October 2017 Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor 6 years
His Highness Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim Ibni Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar (2019-07-17)17 July 2019 Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor 4 years
Her Highness Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah Binti Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar (2021-04-21)21 April 2021 Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor 3 years

Ancestry

Ancestors of Tunku Ismail Idris
16. Sultan Ibrahim bin Abu Bakar of Johor
8. Sultan Ismail bin Ibrahim of Johor
17. Ungku Maimuna binti Ungku Abdul Majid
4. Sultan Iskandar bin Ismail of Johor
18. Ungku Ahmad bin Ungku Muhammad Khalid
9. Ungku Tun Amina binti Ungku Ahmad
19. Ungku Khadija binti Ungku Muhammad
2. Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor
20. Henry David Trevorrow
10. Reginald George Trevorrow
21. Florence Louisa Capling
5. Enche' Besar Hajjah Kalsum binti Abdullah (née Josephine Ruby Trevorrow)
22. Thomas Alderman
11. Ruby May Alderman
1. Ismail bin Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor
24. Sultan Idris Shah I of Perak
12. Sultan Iskandar bin Idris of Perak
25. Cik Ngah Manah binti Manda Duwayat
6. Sultan Idris Shah II of Perak
26. Raja Kulop Muhammad Kramat bin Raja Alang Iskandar
13. Raja Puteh Umi Kalsum binti Raja Kulop Muhammad Kramat
27. Che Ken Uda Sari binti Abdul Rahman
3. Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Idris
28. Raja Haji Harun al-Rashid bin Idris Murshid
14. Raja Arif Shah bin Raja Haji Harun al-Rashid
29. Cik Haji Ngah Uteh Mariah binti Haji Sulaiman
7. Raja Muzwin binti Raja Arif Shah
30. Abdullah
15. Cik Puan Aziza binti Abdullah

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Johor Ruler's Grandson Appointed Raja Muda. bernama.com. 8 April 2006.
  2. ^ "Tunku Ismail to be appointed Johor Regent on Jan 28". The Star. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Tunku Ismail appointed Regent of Johor". New Straits Times. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Tunku Mahkota's son named Raja Muda of Johor Archived 10 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine, The star online, Star Publications, 9 April 2006.
  5. ^ Tunku Ismail proclaimed Tunku Mahkota of Johor Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Star Publications, 28 January 2010.
  6. ^ His Majesty visits Iskandar Military Camp in Mersing, Johor, RTB News, 8 May 2008
  7. ^ a b Malaysian Prince to Lead Indian Army Unit in Republic Day parade, India Defence, 23 January 2007.
  8. ^ a b c Malaysia's Pride On Show At India's Republic Day Parade, BERNAMA, 26 January 2007.
  9. ^ Johor Ruler's Grandson Appointed Raja Muda. Bernama. 8 April 2006.
  10. ^ a b Malaysian prince at home in India, The Hindu, 27 January 2007
  11. ^ Malaysian prince at Republic Day parade, The star online, Star Publications, 25 January 2007
  12. ^ a b M'sian Prince To Lead Cavalry Unit At India's Republic Day, BERNAMA, 24 January 2007.
  13. ^ Shadiqe, Jasmine (31 December 2012). "Glory cannot be achieved overnight". New Straits Times. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Malaysian democrats pin their hopes on the country's royals". The Economist. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  15. ^ Bernama. (3 December 2022). [1]. The Sun Daily.
  16. ^ Bernama. (13 December 2022). [2]. Bernama.
  17. ^ "JOHOR DARUL TA'ZIM CROWNED AFC CUP CHAMPIONS". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  18. ^ Sundaresan, Keeshaanan (4 October 2014). "TMJ appointed as FAM advisor". FourthOfficial.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  19. ^ Malaysian princes come to blows, Leslie Lopez, South-east Asia Correspondent, 31 October 2008, The Straits Times
  20. ^ RM50 million battle royale Archived 22 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Fay Angela D'cruz, 2009/09/18, New Straits Times
  21. ^ Royal brawl: Negri prince disappointed, but A-G promises action (Update), 17 September 2009, The Star (Malaysia)
  22. ^ Farhaan Shah, Mohd (9 November 2014). "Big crowd at Johor royal wedding". AsiaOne. The Star/Asia News Network. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  23. ^ (28 Januari 2024). Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Yang Dipertuan bagi negeri dan jajahan takhluk Johor Darul Takzim telah berkenan melantik Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim sebagai Pemangku Sultan Johor bermula hari ini. Harian Metro. Dicapai pada 28 Januari 2024.
  24. ^ "DYAM Tunku Mahkota Johor".
  25. ^ (28 January 2024). With this appointment, the heir to the Johor throne will henceforth be known as His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, The Regent of Johor. The Star (Malaysia).
  26. ^ "HRH CROWN PRINCE OF JOHOR".

Further reading

  • Nadarajah, Nesalmar, Johore and the Origins of British Control, 1895–1914, Arenabuku, 2000, ISBN 967-970-318-5

External links

  • Tunku Ismail Idris on Instagram
Tunku Ismail Idris
Born: 30 June 1984
Malaysian royalty
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