JOHOR BAHRU: Johoreans from all walks of life are elated and ecstatic as Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has been elected as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term, effective January 31.

Sultan Ibrahim will replace Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah whose reign will end on January 30.

The Malay Rulers also elected the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the same term.

Sultan Ibrahim, 65, is known as a Ruler who speaks his mind, especially when the welfare of his subjects is concerned.

The public just can’t wait for the big day and many have taken to social media to express their joy and admiration for their future King.

This goes to show the deep respect and love for Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

M.K. Sam, a staff at Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre said he can’t wait for the big day to see His Majesty the Sultan of Johor being installed the new King of Malaysia.

“I wish him well and congratulate Sultan Ibrahim as he ascends the throne,” said Sam.

He said as a Johorean he will want to celebrate with his friends to mark this great occasion.

He described the Ruler as a firm believer in Bangsa Johor, a concept aimed at promoting greater unity among people in the state.

Sam said since His Majesty has espoused the concept of Bangsa Johor he will surely translate it to the national level one day.

“The Sultan places great emphasis on racial unity and wants representatives from Malay, Chinese and Indian NGOs to be part of his committee for the annual Kembara Mahkota Johor expedition to provide feedback and input,” he pointed out.

He said Sultan Ibrahim has done much for us and he believes that His Majesty would do the same for all Malaysians.

“His great dedication to the people in Johor is truly inspiring and I wish His Majesty the best in his new task ahead,” he said.

Johor Bahru Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) chairman Chong Ah Ng described Sultan Ibrahim as a great pillar of the State.

Chong said over the years, the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation has provided more than RM170 million in aid to the people, including 103,000 tents in anticipation of floods in Johor and the other states.

He mentioned that Sultan Ibrahim and Johor Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah have always paid close attention to the people’s welfare and provided assistance to countless Johoreans who faced hardships during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As a caring Ruler Sultan Ibrahim is well-liked by Johoreans and His Majesty is always the first to help whenever there are calamities,” he said.

Chong can still remember when severe floods hit the state last year, Sultan Ibrahim was the first to provide assistance to the affected.

“As Johoreans, we are proud that His Majesty who will be the next King of Malaysia will surely carry out the trust and responsibility entrusted to His Majesty well,” he stressed.

He described the Ruler as a strict or stern but is actually a warm-hearted with an amiable personality, a good sense of humour and a love for cooking.

Farrah Farifah Baptist, director of programs at Social Hero Foundation, an NGO involved in providing humanitarian relief aid during disasters said she is overjoyed to hear the news that Sultan of Johor will be the next King.

“We are proud to have such a true leader by example. When His Majesty visited the flood victims in Segamat, the Sultan spent his time with the families there to talk and comfort them and even cooked fried rice specially for them,” she said.

Farrah said the Sultan of Johor knows how to connect with his people. It’s no wonder why Malaysians have been referring to him as the “people’s leader.”

Concerned with the rising cost of living faced by the people, she said, Sultan Ibrahim often extends aid such as food boxes and more recently, rice packets to the needy.

In fact, she said, His Majesty is often seen visiting stalls and eateries in various districts while mingling with his subjects.

In terms of leadership, Farrah said Sultan Ibrahim will definitely make a great King based on his capabilities, determination and strong character.

“As Johoreans, we are proud of His Majesty as the Sultan has cared for the people even from the days when he was Tunku Mahkota of Johor,” she elaborated.

Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Johor chairman Thayala R. Selvaduray said Sultan Ibrahim is a much loved, people-oriented Ruler and is outspoken on issues of cleanliness and environmental concerns which has always been his key areas of focus.

He said Sultan Ibrahim takes a keen interest in development policies and projects spearheaded by the Johor government as well as the Federal government, and is always concerned about their impact on his subjects.

“The Sultan has a vision to transform the state into Malaysia’s next economic powerhouse after the Klang Valley,” he said.

“When he assumes his next task as the King of Malaysia, His Majesty will have an added responsibility that requires sacrifices of time and energy to safeguard the interest of 33 million people of Malaysia,” he said.

He said Sultan Ibrahim will now have to wear two hats and shoulder an even heavier responsibility.

During his tenure as Sultan of Johor he made the State as the number one favourable state for investors.

Dr. K.N. Singh, a consultant gynecologist at the Specialist Women’s Hospital said he had known His Majesty since the time he was the Crown Prince of Johor.

“He was always kind and spoke his mind and the Sultan cares for his people of all races,” he said.

The Sultan, he said, may come across as abrupt to some but those who know him will realize that he is a man of a few words and will always get his point across.

Not mincing his words, Dr. K.N. Singh portrayed His Majesty as being very transparent and would use the same yardstick His Majesty uses for Malaysians as he does for the Johoreans.

Dr. K.N. Singh believes that Bangsa Johor will be translated to Bangsa Malaysia after five years when the Sultan’s term ends.

Ivan Teo, chairman of Malaysian Association of Hotels (Johor) said its indeed good news that Sultan of Johor will be the next King.

“I just can’t wait for the big day and hotels in Johor express their warmest wishes and admiration to a just and wise Ruler,” Teo said.

Teo believes that His Majesty will be able to bring people of different races together and make our nation great.

He said the Sultan’s reign will be extraordinary: usually their reigns are ceremonial but this Kingship will not just be ceremonial; it will be substantive.

Sultan Ibrahim’s coronation ceremony is expected to be held at a later date. His Majesty’s late father Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail was the last Johor ruler to be Yang di-Pertuan Agong between 1984-1989.