JOHOR BARU: Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim married his sweetheart, Khaleeda Bustamam, at a private function at Istana Bukit Serene here yesterday.
Johor mufti Datuk Mohd Tahrir Samsudin performed the akad nikah (solemnisation), with Tunku Ismail, 30, reciting the vows in just one attempt.
Dressed in a white baju Melayu Johor, Tunku Ismail looked calm and collected, and smiled broadly when Tahrir pronounced them husband and wife.
Khaleeda, 21, will officially carry the title Che Puan Khaleeda Bustamam.
Tunku Ismail, who had met Che Puan Khaleeda a few years ago, asked for her hand in marriage four months ago.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar told the New Straits Times that when Tunku Ismail expressed his intention to marry, he told him to ask his mother, to which Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris happily agreed.
“I wanted my eldest son to end his bachelorhood.
“It would be nice if he attends my coronation, scheduled to be held at Istana Besar next year, with his wife,” said Sultan Ibrahim.
Che Puan Khaleeda is the youngest of five children of Bustaman Daud and Aziyah Abdul Aziz, who live in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
It is learnt she became friends with Tunku Ismail on Twitter.
However, both have since closed their accounts.
Though rumours of the wedding had been circulating for months, Johor Royal Council president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli made the official announcement on Monday.
In a recent unofficial meeting with the NST, Tunku Ismail said he had known Che Puan Khaleeda for several years and she was his best friend.
“We clicked and I can talk to her. We share the same passion and she loves football, which I am also passionate about.
“I find respect and communication important in a relationship.
“Initially, when I asked for her hand in marriage, she just smiled. But when I told her I wanted to make her my wife, she said ‘yes’.
“My mother and siblings are fond of Khaleeda. When I told my father, he seemed happy.”
Tunku Ismail, who is also Johor Football Association president, had kept details of the marriage under wraps until yesterday.
Yesterday, the closed-door akad nikah ceremony started at 9am.
Tunku Ismail and Che Puan Khaleeda were both clad in white traditional baju Melayu Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim presented Che Puan Khaleeda with seven trays of gifts, while her parents reciprocated by presenting nine trays of wedding gifts to the bridegroom. The ceremony concluded at 11.45am.
The wedding ceremony which will be steeped in royal Johor tradition, will be held on Nov 8 at Istana Besar.
The public will be able to witness the ceremony live via a large screen installed at Padang Seri Gelam in Dataran Bandaraya.