Tunku Ismail Idris

Tunku Ismail completed his early education at Sekolah Sri Utama and Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan St. Joseph in Johor Bahru. He subsequently received lower secondary education at the Australian International School in Singapore and continued with his higher secondary studies at Hale School in Perth, Western Australia, until 2002.^[1][4] Tunku Ismail is the eldest among six siblings. Like his father, Tunku Ismail has no tertiary (academic) qualification.

Tunku Ismail was appointed Raja Muda (literally means "Younger King",^[1] but taken to mean as second heir apparent or son of the Crown Prince) on 8 April 2006 by his grandfather, the late Sultan of Johor, and placing him second in line to the throne (Now first in line after the passing of Sultan Iskandar).^[1][4] Tunku Ismail was appointed as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor on 28 January 2010.^[5]

Following a family tradition of getting trained in armed forces,^[6] with his late grandfather in the Malaysian Army and father in the US Army, Tunku Ismail aspired for a career in the Indian Armed Forces.^[7] In July 2003, he enrolled as a cadet officer in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), India's premier military training school located at Dehradun.^[1] He was commissioned as a lieutenant in December 2004 and absorbed into the Indian Army. He was promoted to the rank of captain in December 2007.^[8] His father and grandfather also had trained at IMA.^[9]

The Malaysian prince is the first foreigner to lead a unit of the Indian Army in the Indian Republic Day Parade.^[7][10][11] On 26 January 2007, with a rank of captain in Indian Army, he led a mounted column of Jaipur-based 61 Cavalry regiment to salute president of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam during the Republic Day celebrations.^[10] The president himself chose Tunku Ismail to lead the unit of around 400 men of the world's only non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry.^[8] The parade was witnessed by chief guest of the day president of Russia Vladimir Putin and his entourage, along with other dignitaries of Indian politics and military amidst tight security.^[8][12] Tunku Ismail's father Tunku Ibrahim Ismail flew in from Johor Bahru on 23 January 2007 to be present at the celebrations while his son added a chapter to the history of the Indian Army.^[12]

A polo enthusiast, Tunku Ismail is a skilful horse rider. He was bestowed the Best in Riding award among IMA cadets between 2003 and 2004. He is also a polo player for his regiment and has won many trophies.^[1] In football, he is the owner of Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C..^[13]

The prince is also a sports car enthusiast. All of his cars are registered under the same licence plate of "TMJ", an abbreviation from the title Tunku Mahkota Johor which is also his nickname as addressed informally by Malaysians within and outside Johor.

He is noted for his religious moderation and veiled criticism of more conservative Muslims who denounced him for shaking hands with women in 2016.^[14]

On 2 December 2022, Tunku Ismail was installed as the Chancellor of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) at the first session of the university’s 22nd convocation at Dewan Sultan Ibrahim.^[15]

On 13 December 2023, Tunku Ismail was proclaimed as the Pro Chancellor of Kolej Universiti Islam Johor Sultan Ibrahim (KUIJSI) at the university's 21st convocation at the Johor Persada International Convention Centre.^[16]

His Royal Highness the Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor, Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim has been appointed as the President of Johor Football Association (PBNJ). The EGM held in Johor Bahru saw the Crown Prince appointed as the new president replacing the former, Jais Sarday. Among his plans to help bring back Johorean football to its former glory, the Crown Prince merged the Johor teams (which previously were Johor FC, MBJB and MP Muar) into only one where all of the players wear the Jengking (Scorpion) Team Jersey. .^{[citation needed]}

Tunku Ismail's leadership on the club Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C also oversaw its success as the first Southeast Asian club to lift the AFC Cup in 2015.^[17]

In 2014, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) appointed the Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as an advisor to the previous FAM president, his uncle, Sultan Abdullah of Pahang. Tunku Ismail assisted and worked hand in hand with FAM in improving the quality of football within the country, particularly with the national team as well as the junior teams.

As predicted, there were several concerns about the news, particularly with Tunku Ismail having lost the FAM presidency election to Tengku Abdullah earlier that year. Besides that, he had been extremely vocal with his criticisms on the nation's footballing body. However, the then Johor FA president was extremely optimistic about the new role, claiming that he will only be pushing for the betterment of football within the country.^[18]

He was elected as President of FAM for a short term from 2017 to 2018.

In the early hours of 24 October 2008, a confrontation occurred between members of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan royal families at a nightclub in Kuala Lumpur. The incident began when a bottle was allegedly thrown by a member of the Johor royalty at Tunku Nadzimuddin Tunku Muzaffar, a 36-year-old prince from the Negeri Sembilan royal family, and his friends. The Johor group left shortly after, while Tunku Nadzimuddin's group continued their night out.^[19]

Around 3 AM, Tunku Nadzimuddin received a call from someone claiming to be a member of the Johor royal family. The caller said that Tunku Ismail wanted to apologize for the earlier incident and invited Tunku Nadzimuddin to the Crowne Plaza hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail. Out of respect, Tunku Nadzimuddin agreed and went to the hotel with his friends.^[19]

Upon arrival at the hotel, Tunku Nadzimuddin and his friend, Sham Shuddhuha, a 40-year-old lawyer, were allegedly dragged into an elevator by bodyguards of the Johor royal family. The rest of their friends were stopped in the lobby. In the elevator, they encountered Tunku Ismail, who was reportedly armed with a gun. Tunku Ismail allegedly began assaulting Tunku Nadzimuddin with the gun while his bodyguards attacked Sham Shuddhuha.^[19]

The two men were then taken to Room 2523, where they were allegedly confined. Tunku Nadzimuddin suffered a fractured nose, while Sham Shuddhuha fell unconscious and lost two teeth. Taking advantage of a moment alone, Tunku Nadzimuddin sent a text message to his mother, Tunku Dara Naquiah Tuanku Jaafar, asking for help.^[19]

Tunku Dara Naquiah contacted the police and rushed to the hotel with her brother and four police officers. After initially being stopped by bodyguards, they gained access to the room and took Tunku Nadzimuddin to Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.^[19]

On 24 October 2008, Tunku Nadzimuddin filed a police report about the incident.^[20] The case attracted attention due to its involvement of royal family members and raised questions about legal immunity for royalty.^[21] The police began an investigation, eventually recording statements from 41 witnesses.^[20]

In the months following the incident, the Negeri Sembilan royal family expressed frustration with the perceived lack of progress in the investigation. By September 2009, nearly a year after the event, no charges had been filed against Tunku Ismail or his bodyguards. The Attorney-General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, stated that the case was still under investigation and that he would make a decision soon, emphasising the need for care and caution in such sensitive matters.^[20]

On 28 May 2024, a deaf Grab driver named Ong Ing Keong was waiting to collect passengers outside the St Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur when he was allegedly assaulted by a member of Tunku Ismail's security team.^[22] The incident occurred when Ong was asked to move his vehicle as the royal entourage was departing the hotel lobby. A dashcam video later revealed that a man, believed to be a police officer accompanying Tunku Ismail, shouted at Ong before punching him in the face when Ong lowered his window to communicate.^[23]

Following the incident, Ong sought treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for soft tissue injuries and lodged a police report at the Brickfields police station around 13:00 on the same day. The case was initially classified under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing injury.^[22] However, later that evening, around 21:59, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Mohd Isa reported that Ong had filed a second report stating he did not wish to pursue the matter further, describing it as a "misunderstanding" that had been settled amicably.^[24]

This turn of events raised suspicions of a potential cover-up. It was later revealed by the Malaysian Deaf Advocacy and Well-being Organisation (DAWN) that Ong had actually filed only one report, while the police had prepared three additional reports which Ong signed without fully understanding their contents. DAWN also alleged that Ong was pressured at the police station to either accept compensation from a palace representative or face having his phone confiscated if the case went to court.^[25]

On 31 May, Ong denied withdrawing his initial police report and clarified the circumstances surrounding the additional reports. Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail issued a statement urging a thorough investigation while also claiming there was a "movement" attempting to tarnish the royal institution's reputation.^[22]

The case gained renewed attention on 14 August 2024, when rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) released the dashcam footage of the incident during a press conference. LFL lawyers criticised the lack of action against the perpetrator despite clear video evidence, which had been in police possession since the day of the incident.^[23] As of 17 August 2024, pressure was mounting on the police and Attorney General to take action, with various parties, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), calling for transparency and justice in the case.^[26]

On 24 October 2014, Tunku Ismail married Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda at Istana Bukit Serene in a private ceremony. The solemnisation ceremony was performed by Johor mufti Dato' Mohd Tahrir Samsudin. The royal wedding reception took place at the Istana Besar on 8 November 2014.^[27]

The couple's first child is a daughter, Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah, born on 25 June 2016. Their second child, a son, Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim, was born 14 October 2017. A third child and second son, Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim, was born on 17 July 2019. A fourth child and second daughter, Tunku Zahrah Zarith Aziyah, was born on 21 April 2021.

Tunku Ismail's full style and title in Malay: Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Mahkota Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.J, S.S.I.J, S.M.J., P.I.S, Pemangku Sultan Johor^[28][29]

in English: His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, D.K., S.P.M.J, S.S.I.J, S.M.J., P.I.S, Regent of Johor^[30][31]

•   First Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK I) (8 April 2009)
•   Second Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor (DK II) (8 April 2006)
•   Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SPMJ) – Dato' (8 April 2005)
•   Companion of the Order of the Crown of Johor (SMJ) (8 April 2004)
•   Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty of Sultan Ismail of Johor (SSIJ) – Dato' (22 November 2010)
•   Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor (SMIJ) – Dato' (30 March 2015)
•   First Class of the Sultan Ibrahim Coronation Medal (PIS I) (23 March 2015)
•   First Class of the Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PSI I) (23 March 2017)

• Sultan of Johor
• Sultanate of Johor

• Nadarajah, Nesalmar, Johore and the Origins of British Control, 1895–1914, Arenabuku, 2000, ISBN 967-970-318-5

• Tunku Ismail Idris on Instagram