Malaysia crowned a Harley-Davidson-riding billionaire king on Saturday in a lavish ceremony to assume a post seen as a burden in the politically troubled country.
The coronation ceremony of King Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, 65, at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur comes after he was sworn in in January as the country's 17th monarch.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Sultan Ibrahim, wearing a traditional coat embellished with gold thread and a royal headdress, pledged to respect the constitution and “defend the religion of Islam and ensure peace in Malaysia.”
France Press agency
Anwar Ibrahim congratulated the new king and affirmed his loyalty to him.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, where the heads of the country's nine ancient kingdoms choose one of their own families to rule every five years.
Although primarily ceremonial, the king's role has increased in recent years in the face of division in Malaysia's political landscape, and his intervention has been needed three times to appoint a prime minister.
France Press agency
In addition to overseeing important political appointments, the ruler has the power of pardon and is the official leader of Islam in the Muslim-majority country, as well as the supreme commander of the armed forces.
Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar comes from a wealthy and powerful royal family in Johor, which has its own army. Bloomberg estimates the sultan and his family’s wealth at at least $5.7 billion.
Sultan Ibrahim was known for his outspokenness, and was a vocal critic of Malaysian politics and corruption.
He is married with six children and once used to travel around Johor Province every year on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, distributing alms to the needy.
It also has a stake in Forest City, a $100 billion development off the coast of Johor, led by Chinese investors.
France Press agency
The social media-savvy king owns a wide range of luxury and sports cars, as well as private jets.
The last time the Sultan of Johor wore the crown was 40 years ago, when Sultan Ibrahim's father, Sultan Iskandar, was installed as the eighth king of Malaysia in 1984.
