By United States Embassy Kuala Lumpur – Ambassador Kamala Lakhdhir visit Johor, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Malaysia has elected its next monarch.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, 64, from the state of Johor, was elected by the Malaysian royal families for a five-year term.

The Sultan will begin his tenure as King of Malaysia on 31 January 2024. He will take over for King Abdullah, who was from the state of Pahang.

Malaysia has a unique system for the title of King. The heads of the nine royal families in the country take turns reigning as monarchs.

The country is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia.

The King-elect has been outspoken on politics and received military training in the United States. He’s been married to Raja Zarith Sofiah since 1982. She is known to promote the use of English in Malaysia.

The couple have six children, one of whom, Tunku Abdul Jalil, died in 2015.