By Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- As the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th King of Malaysia is swiftly approaching, the nation looks forward to honouring the new monarch while fostering a profound interest in getting to know him better.
In an exclusive interview, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai shed some lights on His Majesty’s multifaceted persona and unwavering commitment to his people as he shared personal anecdotes and insights into the personal and professional relationship with Sultan Ibrahim.
According to Wong, their acquaintance dates back to 2014, sparked by Sultan Ibrahim’s concern over Johor's underrepresentation in media coverage. Subsequently, an invitation was extended to Wong to visit Johor Bahru and present his perspectives on the matter.
Despite initial reservations about meeting a reputedly stern ruler, Wong discovered a different side of Sultan Ibrahim at their first encounter.
“His Majesty was pleasant, candid, and frank. I never felt intimidated,” recalls Wong of their first meeting at Istana Bukit Serene in March 2015, where Sultan Ibrahim, clad in a sky-blue linen shirt, welcomed an open dialogue.
Their subsequent discussions covered various topics, including Johor's economic potential and the role of royalty in modern governance.
Beyond his public image, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim deeply cares for the people as he continuously emphasises unity among Malaysians of all races and faiths, and vehemently opposes extremism, advocating instead harmony and solidarity.
Sharing further, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim’s approach to leadership continues to resonate deeply with those who know him intimately. Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, state government leaders and civil servants under his purview are expected to uphold high standards of preparedness, reflecting his intolerance for inefficiency.
Despite a reputation for his strict demeanour, Sultan Ibrahim demonstrates a compassionate nature through various acts of kindness. From promptly assisting Orang Asli fishermen in need to personally inspecting flood-affected areas, his hands-on approach has earned him admiration and respect.
Wong added His Majesty is also known for his humility and often enjoys simple pleasures like having nasi lemak and coffee at local eateries after the Subuh prayers.
“So, it was no surprise that to mark his first official birthday as the King recently, he chose to have his breakfast of nasi lemak at Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Adding further, Wong also revealed a lesser-known facet of His Majesty’s personality that could surprise many Malaysians - a keen sense of humour and a talent for delivering jokes.
Another inspiring trait of the 17th King of Malaysia, according to Wong, is that His Majesty is a fair man who is deeply concerned with the views of the rakyat and prepared to hear views of all kinds.
“It will be grossly unfair to His Majesty if he only gets positive views and hidden from certain things. Believe me, he will find out. His Majesty has his pulse on many things. The King is also a straight-talking person, no beating around the bush,” he added.
Besides that, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim is multi-talented as he is also the only Ruler who has a license to drive a train as well as fly a helicopter and carry out parachute jumps.
“Sultan Ibrahim is also known to have massive private collection of cars, from vintage ones dating back in the 1890s to the latest models and exotic cars. He is certainly passionate about cars. He knows the mechanics of cars too,” he said.
However, Wong said, despite Sultan Ibrahim’s ‘soft’ side, the King is very serious when it comes to corruption as His Majesty has openly expressed his commitment to fighting any graft misconduct in the country.
He said His Majesty also wanted to revive the pride and prestige of the government’s pillars, namely the judiciary, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“His Majesty is very well informed. When he said he has ears and eyes everywhere to keep him informed, believe me, it’s true,” Wong said, adding that Sultan Ibrahim is very versed in business matters and keen to boost the country’s economy.
Looking forward, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim’s vision for Malaysia is clear – to see a united nation free from extremism, with bolstered economic stability and ethical governance.
Inspired by his father, the late Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Ibrahim strives to uphold a legacy of discipline, service and integrity.
As the installation ceremony approaches, Wong also expresses hopes that Sultan Ibrahim would reinforce the need for peace, racial harmony and a resilient economy under his stewardship.
Reflecting on Sultan Ibrahim’s character, Wong summed it up in one word – discipline – a fitting tribute to a monarch poised to lead Malaysia into a promising future.
Sultan Ibrahim took the oath and signed the instrument of office as the 17th King of Malaysia on Jan 31.
The installation ceremony is scheduled for July 20.
-- BERNAMA
