TUNKU IBRAHIM ISMAIL PROCLAIMED AS SULTAN OF JOHOR

JOHOR BAHARU (Malaysia), Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Ibni
Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was Saturday proclaimed as the new Ruler of
Malaysia's
southern state of Johor.

The proclamation, made in accordance with the Johor State
Constitution 1895,
was officially announced by state Chief Menteri Abdul Ghani Othman at
Istana
Besar Johor Baharu at 10.21am.

"In keeping with the Johor State Constitution 1895, the Sultan's
heir, Tunku
Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, is hereby proclaimed as
the King
and Sultan under the same law," Abdul Ghani said.

Soon after the proclamation, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, 51, took his oath
as the
Sultan of Johor and pledged to rule with fairness, justice and compassion.

Donning a white Baju Melayu (traditional outfit), the new ruler also
pledged
to respect and protect Islam and Malay customs and to be steadfast in
upholding
the Johor StateConstitution 1895 as well as the laws of the state of
Johor.

The oath-taking ceremony was witness by Sultanah Zanariah, his wife
Raja
Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah and all of his children and siblings.

Also present were Johor Islamic Religious Council advisor Noh Gadot,
former
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and state executive council members.

The proclamation was following the death of his father, the Sultan
of Johor,
Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, at Puteri Specialist
Hospital here
at 7.15pm Friday.

The proclamation took place just hours before the late Sultan
Iskandar's
remains were buried at the Bukit Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum here.

On Friday, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was appointed the Regent of Johor
when the
Sultan of Johor was admitted to the hospital due to illness.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail and Raja Zarith Sofiah, who were married in
1982, have
five children, namely Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar Iskandar,
Tunku
Amina, Tunku Idris, Tunku Abdul Jalil, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Iman.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was proclaimed crown prince of Johor on July 3,
1981.

He was also appointed the regent on April 25, 1984 when Sultan
Iskandar was
elected the eighth Malaysian Supreme King by his brother rulers.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, who was born on Nov 22, 1958 at the Sultanah
Aminah
Hospital in Johor Baharu, is the eldest of 10 siblings and had his early
education at the Sekolah Temenggong Abdul Rahman Satu, Johor.

His father then sent him to the Trinity Grammar School in Australia
where he
studied from 1968 to 1970 before continuing his secondary education at the
Sultan Abu Bakar College.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail received his religious education at the Sekolah
Agama
Bukit Zaharah and Sekolah Agama Air Molek in Johor Baharu.

After completing his secondary education, he was sent to the army
training
centre in Kota Tinggi where he received basic military training for three
months.

He was also sent to Fort Bening, Georgia, in the United States to
acquire
more military knowledge. He also attended military training in Fort
Bragg in the
US.
On his return to Malaysia, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail was appointed the
deputy
commander of the Johor Military Force.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail also attended helicopter training at the Kluang
military base where he earned his wings. He also attended a two-month
training
stint with the Royal Malaysian Navy.

The regent is a keen sportsman, excelling in polo which has taken
him to
international competitions abroad, such as Singapore, the Philippines and
Brunei.

He is also a tennis player, windsurfer, shooter and motoring
enthusiast.
-- BERNAMA