Iskandar of Johor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iskandar
Al-Mutawakkil Alallah (The Leaner on God) Yang di-Pertuan Agong VIII
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Reign	26 April 1984 - 25 April 1989
Installation	14 November 1984
Predecessor	Ahmad Shah of Pahang
Successor	Azlan Shah of Perak
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad
Sultan of Johor
Reign	11 May 1981 - 22 January 2010
Predecessor	Ismail
Successor	Ibrahim Ismail
Chief Ministers	See List Othman Saat Ajib Ahmad Muhyiddin Yassin Abdul Ghani Othman
Born	(1932-04-08)8 April 1932 Istana Semayam, Johor Bahru, Johor, Unfederated Malay States, British Malaya
Died	22 January 2010(2010-01-22) (aged 77) Puteri Specialist Hospital, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Burial	23 January 2010 Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Spouse	Josephine Ruby Trevorrow (Khalsom binti Abdullah) ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1962)​ Sultanah Zanariah ​ (m. 1961)​
Issue	Tunku Kamariah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Tunku Zabedah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Tunku Mariam Zaharah Tunku Norani Fatimah Tunku Maimunah Ismailiah Tunku Abdul Majid Idris Ismail Ibrahim Tunku Muna Najiah Tunku Aminah Kalsum Masera Marian Zahira Iskandariah
Full name Tunku Mahmood Iskandar ibni Tunku Ismail Regnal name Baginda Almutawakil Alallah Sultan Iskandar ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail
House	House of Temenggong
Father	Sultan Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim Al-Masyhur
Mother	Sultanah Ungku Tun Aminah Binti Ungku Ahmad
Religion	Sunni Islam

Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail (born 8 April 1932 – died 22 January 2010) was a very important leader in Malaysia. He was the 24th Sultan of Johor and the 4th Sultan of Modern Johor. He became Sultan after his father, Sultan Ismail, passed away on 10 May 1981.

Sultan Iskandar also served as the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong (which means Supreme King or High King) of Malaysia. He held this role from 26 April 1984 to 25 April 1989. His time as Sultan of Johor lasted for almost 29 years until he passed away in January 2010. Many of his children married into other royal families in Malaysia.

Sultan Iskandar was known for having a strong and independent mind, much like his grandfather, Sultan Ibrahim. He cared deeply for the people he ruled, especially the Malays and Orang Aslis, and many people respected him. During his time as Sultan, there were discussions about the powers of the royal family, which led to changes in the laws to ensure fairness for everyone.

Sultan Iskandar was also known for believing in strict rules and sometimes shared his personal thoughts on government matters. People who met him later in his life often described him as warm and generous. However, some past reports mentioned that he could have a difficult temper.

When he was younger, he was known as "Mahmood" or "Mahmood Iskandar." He mostly stopped using his first name after he became Sultan in 1981.

Early Life of Sultan Iskandar

Sultan Iskandar, known as Tunku Mahmood Iskandar before 1981, was born on 8 April 1932, in Istana Semayam, Johor Bahru. He was the third son of Sultan Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim and Sultanah Aminah binti Ungku Ahmad. His two older brothers had passed away when they were babies.

Mahmood went to Ngee Heng Primary School and the English College Johore Bahru (now Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) in Johor Bahru for his early education. In 1952, he went to Australia to study at the Trinity Grammar School. After finishing high school in 1953, Mahmood traveled to the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, where he studied at the Upper Chine School for three years.

Becoming the Sultan of Johor

After finishing his studies, Mahmood returned to Malaysia in 1956. He worked briefly in the Johor Civil Service, helping with district affairs, land, and money matters. In May 1959, he was appointed as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, which is like being the Crown Prince.

Sultan Ismail appointed Mahmood as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor from 1959 to 1961. He was then made Raja Muda of Johor from 1966 to 1981. On 29 April 1981, he was again appointed as the Tunku Mahkota, just before his father passed away.

On 10 May 1981, Mahmood became the Regent of Johor after his father's death. He was sworn in as Sultan the very next day, right before his father's burial. His younger brother, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who had been the Tunku Mahkota for twenty years, was given a lower position. On 12 December of the same year, Sultan Iskandar was also appointed as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Unlike other Sultans of Johor before him, he did not have a special coronation ceremony.

Serving as Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Malaysia has a unique system where its rulers elect a Supreme King, called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. On 9 February 1984, Sultan Iskandar was chosen to be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He officially took on this role on 26 April 1984, succeeding the Sultan of Pahang. A special ceremony was held where he was officially installed.

Sultan Iskandar served as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong until 1989. During this time, he was automatically the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces. This meant he held the highest ranks in the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Army.

On 8 April 2006, the Sultan appointed his grandson, Tunku Ismail Idris, as the Raja Muda. Tunku Ismail Idris is the son of the Tunku Mahkota and is second in line to the Johor royal throne.

State Affairs and Public Service

Sultan Iskandar often held open house events at his official home, Istana Bukit Serene, or at Istana Besar. On these days, people from Johor could come and show their respect to him and his eldest son, the Tunku Mahkota. The Sultan also gave special awards to important Malaysians on his birthday. By tradition, 8 April was made a public holiday in Johor to celebrate his birthday.

Before he became Agong in April 1984, Sultan Iskandar suggested that the Orang Aslis be called "Bumiputera Asli," meaning "Original Sons of the Soil." He felt they had a different identity from the Malays because most of them were not Muslim. This idea was later set aside, and the government tried to help the Orang Aslis join mainstream Malay society. After becoming Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he gave his salary to scholarship programs open to all Malaysians, no matter their race.

Steps to the main hall of Istana Besar, Johor Bahru

In 2007, Sultan Iskandar made a rule that only homes owned by the Sultan and the Tunku Mahkota could be called "Istana" (Palace). Homes belonging to other royal family members would be called "Kediaman" (Residences). In December of that year, Sultan Iskandar supported a law banning Muslims in the state from practicing Yoga. This was because some parts of Yoga were seen as going against Islamic teachings.

On 1 December 2008, Sultan Iskandar officially opened the Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine complex. This important building was named in his honor.

Building Bridges with Other Nations

Since becoming Sultan, Iskandar worked hard to build good relationships with neighboring Singapore. He developed personal friendships with top Singaporean leaders. His sons, the Tunku Mahkota and Tunku Aris Bendahara, have continued this tradition. Media reports often highlighted the warm welcome leaders from both countries received when they visited each other. For example, in July 1988, Sultan Iskandar's visit to Singapore was the first official visit by any Yang di-Pertuan Agong since 1957.

He received several awards from Singaporean leaders:

• In 1988, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong, received an award from the Sultan.
• In 2007, Sultan Iskandar was given the Honorary Master Parachutist Wing by Singapore's Defence Minister, Teo Chee Hean.
• Also in 2007, he received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the National University of Singapore.

However, relations with Singapore faced a challenge when the International Court of Justice decided that Pedra Branca belonged to Singapore after a long legal dispute. In 2008, Sultan Iskandar stated his strong belief that Malaysia should have sovereignty over Pedra Branca and promised to find legal ways to get the island back.

Sultan Iskandar also had a close relationship with the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, especially when he was the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. In 2006, they met publicly again when Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah visited Johor to show interest in the Iskandar Development Region.

Personal Life and Interests

In 1956, Mahmood married Josephine Ruby Trevorrow from the United Kingdom. They had four children, including his successor, Ibrahim Ismail, and the current queen of Malaysia, Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. They divorced in 1962. In 1961, he married Tengku Zanariah from the Kelantan royal family, and they had six children together.

When he was young, Mahmood learned to fly light aircraft and helicopters. He was also very good with motorcycles, even able to take them apart and put them back together.

The Sultan was well-known for his love of outdoor sports, especially polo and golf. In his later years, he spent a lot of his free time at the Royal Johor Country Club. He also regularly played tennis and squash. Among his friends, Sultan Iskandar was often called "Moody," a nickname from his first name, "Mahmud." His son, Abdul Majid, also loved amateur golf and was once the President of the Malaysian Golf Association.

He was involved in the 1988 Malaysian constitutional crisis, a time when there were disagreements about the roles of the government and the courts.

Sultan Iskandar also had a large collection of pets, especially peacocks, at his Istana Bukit Serene home. In his youth, he lived at Istana Bukit Coombe, which was later renamed Istana Bukit Iskandar. This palace was taken down in 1987.

He became good friends with Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. His son picked Aquino up at Changi airport and drove him to Johor, where he and Aquino had a meeting just days before the former Philippine senator was assassinated.

Sultan Iskandar's Children

Sultan Iskandar had several children who have also become important figures.

Later Years and Passing

After having a heart bypass operation in the United States in 2000, Sultan Iskandar became a bit less active. He played golf only sometimes. In January 2008, he had a short illness and was treated in a hospital.

Sultan Iskandar passed away on 22 January 2010, at 7:15 pm, at the Puteri Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru. He was 77 years old. His death was announced later that night. Flags in Johor were lowered to half-mast the next day. His body was brought to the Istana Besar, Johor Bahru, for people to pay their last respects. He was buried in the Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum the next day at 2:00 pm.

Many important people attended his funeral, including the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong were also there.

His son, the Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, was proclaimed as the next Sultan of Johor on 23 January.

Legacy and Tributes

Many places and institutions were named after Sultan Iskandar to honor him:

Schools and Learning Centers

• Institute Sultan Iskandar of Urban Habitat and Highrise, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
• SMK Tunku Mahmood Iskandar, Sungai Mati, Muar
• SMK Mahmood Iskandar, Parit Saidi, Batu Pahat
• SK Tengku Mahmood Iskandar 1 and 2, Pontian

Buildings and Structures

Bangunan Sultan Iskandar – Customs, Immigration and Quarantine centre was opened in December 2008.

• Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, a customs, immigration, and quarantine complex opened in December 2008
• Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Kota Tinggi district office
• Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Federal government headquarters for Youth and Sports in Sarawak
• Dewan Sultan Iskandar, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
• Planetarium Sultan Iskandar, the first planetarium in Malaysia, located in Kuching Civic Centre, Sarawak.
• Sultan Iskandar Broadcasting Complex, headquarters of Johor FM
• Pusat Islam Iskandar Johor, the Johor Islamic Centre
• Masjid Iskandar, a mosque at Kem Iskandar in Mersing
• Sultan Iskandar Mosque, a mosque at Mersing and Bandar Dato' Onn
• Kota Iskandar Mosque, a state mosque in Kota Iskandar
• Sultan Iskandar Power Station, Pasir Gudang
• Sultan Iskandar Reservoir, a water reservoir east of Johor Bahru
• Iskandar Coastal Bridge

Roads and Highways

• Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, part of the Iskandar Coastal Highway
• Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar (formerly Lebuhraya Mahameru), part of the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1
• Jalan Sultan Iskandar, a major road in Bintulu, Sarawak

Other Important Places and Events

• Iskandar Johor Open, a golf tournament
• Iskandar Malaysia, a large development region
• Kota Iskandar, an administrative center for the Johor state government
• Kem Iskandar, a military camp in Mersing
• Iskandar Puteri, a planned city
• Taman Iskandar, a housing area
• Sultan Iskandar Deep Sea Park, a deep sea park in Pulau Mensirip, Mersing
• Pertandingan Menembak Piala Sultan Iskandar (Sultan Iskandar Shooting Competition)

One of his grandsons, Mahmood Iskandar, was named after him. Many of his children and grandchildren are also named after his ancestors, like his older son, Ibrahim, who was named after Sultan Iskandar's grandfather, Sultan Ibrahim. Sultan Iskandar also continued the tradition of using the royal monogram "S.I.," which stands for his title and name.

Honors and Awards

Sultan Iskandar received many honors from Johor, Malaysia, and other countries.

Honors from Johor

• Second Class (DK II, 8.5.1959) and First Class (DK I, 28.10.1959) of the Royal Family Order of Johor
• First Class (SPMJ, 28.10.1967) of the Order of the Crown of Johor
• Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Loyalty of Sultan Ismail (28.10.1975, SSIJ)
• Sultan Ibrahim Coronation Medal (PSI 1st class)
• Star of Sultan Ismail (BSI 1st class)
• Sultan Ismail Coronation Medal (1960)

National and Other Malaysian State Honors

•  Malaysia (as Yang di-Pertuan Agong):
  • Recipient of Order of the Royal Family of Malaysia (DKM) (1984)
  • Recipient (1987) and Grand Master (1984-1989) of the Order of the Crown of the Realm
  • Grand Master (1984-1989) of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
  • Grand Master (1984-1989) of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
  • Grand Master (1984-1989) of the Order of Merit of Malaysia
  • Grand Master (1984-1989) of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal Family of Malaysia
•  Kelantan:
  • Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Kelantan (DK) (1984)
•  Kedah:
  • Recipient of the Royal Family Order of Kedah (DK) (1985)
•  Negeri Sembilan:
  • Member of the Royal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan (DKNS) (1985)
•  Pahang:
  • First Class Member of the Family Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang (DK I) (1990)
•  Perlis:
  • Recipient of the Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (DK)
•  Terengganu:
  • Member of the first class of the Family Order of Terengganu (DK) (1982)
•  Selangor:
  • First Class of the Royal Family Order of Selangor (DK I) (1985)
•  Sabah:
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima
•  Melaka:
  • Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) – Datuk Seri Utama (1988)

Foreign Honors

•  Brunei:
  • First Class of the Family Order of Laila Utama (DK) – Dato Laila Utama (1972)
  • Recipient of the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei (DKMB) (1988)
•  Indonesia:
  • Star of the Republic of Indonesia (1st Class) (1987)
•  Thailand:
  • Knight of the Order of the Rajamitrabhorn (KRM) (1985)

Images for kids

• 

  Sultan Iskandar in official portrait

• 

  Steps to the main hall of Istana Besar, Johor Bahru

• 

  Bangunan Sultan Iskandar – Customs, Immigration and Quarantine centre was opened in December 2008.

See also

In Spanish: Iskandar de Johor para niños