Tunku Ismail Idris

Tunku Ismail Idris ibni Sultan Ibrahim Ismail^[4] (born 30 June 1984)^[1] is the Tunku Mahkota of Johor (Crown Prince). He was born to a member of the Johor Royal Family (his paternal side of the family) and the Perak Royal Family (his maternal side of the family). Tunku Ismail is currently serving as an officer of the Indian Army.

Tunku Ismail is the eldest son of the current Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah.^[1] He is the grandson of the previous Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar and the previous Sultan of Perak, Idris Shah II of Perak.

Tunku Ismail was appointed Raja Muda (direct Malay to English translation "Young King" but more likely to mean heir to 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 His Royal Highness, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar).^[1][5] Tunku Ismail was appointed as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor on 26 January 2010.^[6]

Early life and education

Tunku Ismail completed his early education at Sekolah Sri Utama and Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan St. Joseph in Johor Bahru. He subsequently received secondary education at the Australian International School in Singapore and pursued his higher studies at Hale School in Perth, Western Australia, until 2002.^[1][5] Tunku Ismail is the eldest among six siblings.

Career and interests

Following a family tradition of getting trained in armed forces, 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] He is the first ever Malaysian royal to join the Indian armed forces.

The Malaysian prince is the first foreigner to lead a unit of Indian Army in the Indian Republic Day Parade.^[7][9][10] 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 Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the Republic Day celebrations.^[9] 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][11] 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 Indian Army.^[11]

A polo enthusiast, Tunku Ismail is a skilful horse rider. He was bestowed the Best in Riding award among IMA cadets for year 2003-2004. He is also a polo player for his regiment and has won many trophies.^[1] In football, he is the president of Johor FC.^[12]

The prince is also a sports car enthusiast.All of his car are under the same licence plate "TMJ".

President of Johor Darul Takzim FC His Royal Highness the Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris ibni Sultan Ibrahim is appointed as the new President of Persatuan Bola Sepak Negeri Johor (PBNJ), Johor State Football Association. In the EGM held in Johor Bahru saw the Crown Prince appointed as the new President replacing the former, Jais Sarday. In his speech, the Crown Prince stated that in the next season of Malaysian Prime League, the State of Johor which currently has three teams, Johor FC, MBJB and MP Muar will be reduce to only one, where all of the player will wear the Jengking (Scorpion) Team Jersey. It is among the suggestion been forwarded to brought back the Johorean Football to its former glory.

Honours

See also List of honours of the Johor Royal Family by country

Tunku Ismail was conferred with the following royal honors:^[1][5]

Honours of Johor

• Royal Family Order of Johor :
  • Second Class - Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Kedua (DK II) on 8.4.2006.
  • First Class - Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (DK I) on 11.4.2009. ^[13]
• Order of the Crown of Johor :
  • Companion - Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia Pangkat Ketiga Setia Mahkota Johor (SMJ) on 8.4.2004.
  • Knight Grand Commander - Pangkat Pertama Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia, Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor (SPMJ) on 8.4.2005.
• Sultan Ibrahim Coronation Medal (PSI 1st class) ^[13]
• Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Coronation Medal ^[13]

Controversies

Alleged assault

On 24 October 2008, reports surfaced about a confrontation and a royal scuffle which allegedly occurred in a nightclub at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuala Lumpur between two princes. Tunku Nadzimuddin, a member of the Negeri Sembilan household, filed a police report accusing of a Johor royal whom he identified the culprit to be Tunku Ismail; for initiating the confrontation and assaulting him in the face and head. A friend of Tunku Nadzimuddin, Shamshudhuha Ishak, a lawyer, filed another police report accusing of Tunku Ismail's bodyguards of assaulting him and losing two teeth in the process.^[14]

The following September, Tunku Nadzimuddin lodged a complaint against the police and the Attorney-General chambers for not responding to the police report that he had made earlier for a RM50 million monetary settlement over the alleged episode. In a press interview, Tunku Nadzimuddin claimed that he was roughed up by Tunku Ismail and his bodyguards after the a friend of Tunku Ismail called Tunku Nadzimuddin that he had wanted to apologise over a bottle-throwing incident, while Tunku Nadzimuddin was partying. Tunku Nadzimuddin looked for Tunku Ismail with Shamshudhuha, but they quickly assaulted by Tunku Ismail's bodyguards. Shamshudhuha was beaten unconscious, while Tunku Nadzimuddin was threatened by Tunku Ismail with a pistol pointing to his head, and led to a hotel room where they were confined. The police later arrived after Tunku Nadzimuddin called for his mother. The Johor royalty denied Tunku Nadzimuddin's claims, and stated that Tunku Ismail was barred from meeting Tunku Nadzimuddin that night for security reasons.^[15][16]

See also

• Sultan of Johor
• Sultanate of Johor
• Republic Day Parade
• Indian Army

Notes

References

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