Malaysian Rulers Tap Johor's Sultan Ibrahim To Become Next Monarch

The Istana Negara announced Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar as the 17th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, as the Malaysian monarch is known locally. Sultan Ibrahim will start his five-year reign on January 31 next year, with Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah set to serve as his deputy.

• The King of Malaysia is elected by the Conference of Rulers, a body comprising of the nine rulers of Malay states, for a five-year term. By convention, the rulers effectively rotate the office between them.
• While Malaysian monarchy is largely ceremonial, the outgoing King assumed a more active role, stepping in as a mediator amid the 2020-2022 political turbulence and nominating three Prime Ministers during that period.
• The Straits Times reports that the incoming monarch indicated that he has a good relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Worth noting that he may be the one to review imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak's request for a royal pardon.