The 17th King of Malaysia... With 7 Trillion Won in Wealth, Car Enthusiast, and Popular Support

Family Assets Valued at Least 7 Trillion, Car Enthusiast Including Ferrari
Possesses Business Mindset from Malay-British Background and High Public Support

King Ibrahim Al-Mahum Iskandar is famous for his passion for cars and bikes. A photo taken with a Harley Davidson
[Photo by Johor Royal Family Official Facebook]

Ibrahim Al-Mahum Iskandar (65), the Sultan (supreme ruler) of Johor state and considered one of Malaysia's richest individuals, ascended as the 17th King of Malaysia on the 31st.

According to AFP and other news agencies, Sultan Ibrahim, who was elected king last October, received the throne from King Abdullah on this day, commencing his five-year term as king.

The 17th King of Malaysia, Ibrahim.
Photo by AP Yonhap News

Since gaining independence from Britain in 1957, Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy, has had the nine Malay state Sultans rotate the five-year term of the King, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Malaysian King is the nominal commander-in-chief and head of the three branches of government, serving as a symbolic figure of national unity. While not directly involved in governance, the King appoints the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, federal judges including the Chief Justice, and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and holds the authority to refuse the Prime Minister's request to dissolve Parliament.

Hailing from Johor Bahru, Johor, he is known to be active on social media and has a keen interest in political matters. Close to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, he stated in an interview with Singapore's Straits Times last month, "I will support the government but will speak out if I think something is wrong," indicating he does not intend to be a 'puppet king.'

Citizens celebrating the king's coronation [Photo by Johor Royal Family Official Facebook]

King Ibrahim spent his school years in Australia and graduated from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States, majoring in Southeast Asian studies. He ascended as the 5th Sultan of Johor in 2010 and is known to have amassed considerable wealth through investments in real estate, distribution, and mining businesses. The estimated value of King Ibrahim's family fortune is at least $5.7 billion (7.6 trillion KRW). King Ibrahim is known to own several luxury cars including Ferraris and is also famous for riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.