THE history of modern Johor sultanate began when Sultan Abu Bakar Daeng Ibrahim assumed the throne on February 2, 1862. He was the first Sultan of Johor from the Temenggong dynasty.
Widely known as the “Father of Modern Johor”, Sultan Abu Bakar is acknowledged as the driving force behind the development of the state in the 19th century.
He introduced various western-styled policies, administrative systems, the military and civil service.
Sultan Abu Bakar is the first Malay ruler to have traveled to Europe when he visited England in 1866. He later became life long friends with Great Britain’s Queen Victoria.
The sultan reigned for 33 years and was succeeded by his son Sultan Ibrahim, who went on to become the longest reigning Johor sultan in history after having ruled for 64 years.
Sultan Ibrahim was said to be one of the wealthiest men in the world during his reign. He was said to have made a £500,000 (RM2.7 million) donation in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee of King George V.
Sultan Ibrahim passed away on May 8, 1959 and was succeeded by his son Sultan Ismail, who was the last Johor sultan to be crowned on February 10, 1960 until this year, when Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar will be crowned on March 23.
Sultan Ismail was the first chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia upon its establishment in 1975.
He passed away on May 10, 1981 and was succeeded by his son Sultan Iskandar, who assumed the throne on May 11 in the same year, but forgoing the coronation ceremony.
Sultan Iskandar who was the 8th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1984 to 1989 is known as an enthusiast of high-powered motorcycles and was a trained pilot.
The Iskandar Malaysia development is named after him.
The ruler was succeeded by his eldest son Sultan Ibrahim.
Sultan Ibrahim, who is also a trained pilot, is a car enthusiast known for his collection of vintage and sports cars.
He is the first Malay ruler to obtain a licence to drive a locomotive.
A caring ruler and well-respected by his subjects, Sultan Ibrahim would tour the state during the annual Kembara Mahkota Johor programme which was mooted by him, accompanied by government officials to see and inspect Johor’s development, especially in rural areas.
Sultan Ibrahim, who underwent military training at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg in the United States, is also the colonel-in-chief of the Grup Gerak Khas (Special Service Group) based in Kem Iskandar in Mersing, which is named after his late father.