Malaysia has sworn in an outspoken motorcycle-riding king in what’s believed to be the world’s only rotating system of monarchy.
Nine ethnic Malay state rulers have taken turns as king for five-year terms since Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957.
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s new position is largely ceremonial but has in recent years featured heavily in the country’s fractured political landscape, prompting the king to wield rarely used discretionary powers to quell political instability.
Royal intervention has been needed to name prime ministers three times after the collapse of governments and a post-election hung parliament in recent years.
In an interview with Singapore’s The Straits Times in December, the 65-year-old said he was not keen on becoming a “puppet king”.
“There’re 222 of you [lawmakers] in parliament. There’re over 30 million [population] outside. I’m not with you, I’m with them,” he was quoted as saying in the broadsheet.
“I will support the government, but if I think they are doing something improper, I will tell them.”
The king also wields the power to pardon. In 2018, Sultan Muhammad V, one of Ibrahim’s predecessors, pardoned Anwar Ibrahim, who had served a jail sentence for sodomy and is now Malaysia’s prime minister.
In addition to overseeing major political appointments, the king serves as the official head of Islam in the Muslim-majority country and commander-in-chief of its armed forces.
Known for his large collection of luxury cars and motorbikes, Bloomberg estimates Sultan Ibrahim and his family are worth at least $5.7bn, including land in Singapore and investments in various companies including in palm oil, real estate and telecommunications.
Sultan Ibrahim, who is of Malay-British descent, belongs to the powerful Johor royal family, the head of which commands a small private army.
He has a close relationship with Anwar and has been outspoken about Malaysian politics and corruption.
Sultan Ibrahim is seen as a religious moderate. In 2017, he ordered a launderette owner to apologise for allegedly discriminating against non-Muslims.
Married with six children, he has in the past made annual trips around Johor on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, handing out charity to the poor.
Criticism deemed to incite contempt of the king can result in jail time.
With Agence France-Presse, Associated Press and Reuters
