Sultan Iskandar (1932 - 2010): A ruler who’s not a stickler for protocol
BEN TAN
2010/01/25
The late Sultan of Johor showed great concern for his subjects and was held in high esteem by many, writes BEN TAN
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| Sultan Iskandar with his consort, Sultanah Zanariah. |
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| Sultan Iskandar cutting the hair of his grandson, which he shares his namesake, Tunku Mahmood Iskandar. Looking on is Sultanah Zanariah Almarhum Tunku Ahmad and his son, Tunku Bendahara Johor Tunku Abdul Majid Idris. |
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| Sultan Iskandar with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei (left) during the latter’s visit to Johor. |
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| Sultan Iskandar chatting with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman at the Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival in 2006. |
A direct descendant of famous Johor rulers, including Sultan Abu Bakar or Father of Modern Johor, Almutawakkil Al-Allah Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail carried on the legacy of his forefathers.
Known as a strict and independent-minded ruler, Sultan Iskandar was loved by his subjects for his simple and practical approach in ruling the state.
He will be remembered as a king who ignored protocol and reached out to the rakyat.
The sight of him riding a superbike at the Merdeka celebrations in the late 1980s when he was the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is etched in the memories of many Malaysians.
Sultan Iskandar showed great concern for his subjects and was held in high esteem by many -- in particular the Malays and Orang Asli.
Born at Istana Semayam in Johor Baru on April 8, 1932, he was the eldest son of Almarhum Sultan Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim and Almarhumah Sultanah Ungku Tun Aminah Ungku Paduka Bena Sri Maharaja Utama Ahmad.
Since young, Sultan Iskandar who was known as Tunku Mahmud, was groomed by the palace in a modern way, without neglecting Islamic knowledge and Malay culture.
Sultan Iskandar and his siblings always had a strong bond with their mother. This bond influenced the way he cared for his children and grandchildren in his later years.
His strong character and determination was similar to that of his grandfather, Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim.
Over the years, Sultan Iskandar had been known to voice out strong opinions on various state and national issues.
The latest was on the issue of Pedra Branca where two years ago he stated Johor's stand in regaining back the island.
He also caused a stir at the launch of Iskandar Development Region project in 2006.
He commented that the Causeway linking Johor Baru and Singapore should be removed to allow water to pass through freely and promote development of the state.
Sultan Iskandar was also an adventurous royal, which can be traced back to his Bugis ancestry. The sea-faring Bugis were famed for their strong will, sea exploration and taste for adventure.
A keen sportsman, he promoted sports, especially golf and polo in the state and this trait has been inherited by his children.
As a ruler, Sultan Iskandar graced many sports and cultural events that were held in Johor.
Unknown to many, the sportscar-loving Sultan Iskandar had at one time won the inaugural Johor Grand Prix which was held in the 1960s.
He also took a personal interest in the welfare of the Johor Military Force since its establishment by Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar in 1885.
The late sultan was also concerned with the welfare of wild animals.
He was displeased when a leopard escaped from the Johor Zoo in 2002.
Just like his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and his ancestors, the late Sultan Iskandar will be remembered by the people of Johor as a modern royal.
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