Malaysia's king Sultan Ibrahim has 300 cars; $5.7 billion empire
On January 31, 2024, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, the billionaire ruler of Malaysia's Johor state, became the country's new king. The 65-year-old monarch has a staggering net worth, which features private jets, hundreds of cars, and even his private army. As one of Malaysia's wealthiest individuals, Sultan Ibrahim's family assets are valued at a minimum of $5.7 billion, according to Bloomberg estimates.
Sultan Ibrahim's extensive business empire
Sultan Ibrahim's empire spans beyond Malaysia, with business ventures in real estate, mining, telecommunications, and palm oil. He owns a 24% stake in U Mobile, a leading Malaysian cell service provider, and has invested an additional $588 million in private and public companies. Moreover, he possesses $4 billion worth of land in Singapore, including Tyersall Park near the Botanic Gardens.
He also has a $1.1 billion-worth investment portfolio
According to sources, the $1.1 billion investment portfolio of the Sultan is heavily dependent on share and real estate transactions for significant cash flow.
Opulent lifestyle and private army
The king boasts a collection of over 300 luxury cars, including one allegedly gifted by Adolf Hitler, and a fleet of private jets like a gold-and-blue Boeing 737. He is also the only ruler with a private army, a condition agreed upon when Johor state joined modern-day Malaysia after gaining independence from Britain in 1957. Sultan Ibrahim's official residence, Istana Bukit Serene, showcases his family's vast wealth.
Sultan Ibrahim's plans for his reign
During his reign, Sultan Ibrahim plans to take an active role. In an interview with the Singapore Straits Times, he said he would not spend five years as a "puppet king" but would instead focus on combating corruption and promoting unity in the country. His close relationships with Singapore's leaders and business ties with prominent Chinese developers place him in a position to significantly influence both domestic and foreign policy.
Unique rotating monarchy system in Malaysia
Malaysia's constitutional monarchy system is unique, with hereditary royals from nine states rotating as the nation's king for five-year terms. Sultan Ibrahim is the first Johor king since the late 1980s. Although the king's role is mostly ceremonial, the monarch is the symbolic head of the government and armed forces and is highly respected as the guardian of Islam and Malay tradition.
