JOHOR BARU: Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and his wife Che’ Puan Khaleeda Bustamam today welcomed the birth of their second child, a son who is now an heir to the Johor throne.
The state Council of the Royal Court president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said the royal family was happy to announce the good news to their subjects as they ushered the arrival of the newest family member.
“The Council of Royal Court is pleased to announce the birth of an heir to the Johor throne today,” said Rahim in a brief statement.
The new member of the Johor royal family was born at the royal ward of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in the morning.
The good news was shared by Tunku Ismail's parents, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah as well.
Both of them uploaded the internal announcement made by the Council about the birth of their grandson on their respective Facebook pages.
Raja Zarith also attached a note saying 'Syukur Alhamdulillah' (grateful praises to Allah) which was followed by hundreds of well wishes coming from Facebook users.
Johoreans everywhere rejoiced at the arrival of an heir to the Johor throne, and many of them congratulated the royal family on the special day.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was among many leaders who congratulated the proud grandparents as well as the Johor crown prince on the arrival of their bundle of joy.
"On behalf of the Johor government, I give thanks to Allah SWT and congratulate the Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and Che’ Puan Khaleeda Bustamam for the birth of their second child on October 14, 2017, which is on 23rd day of the month of Muharram, 1439 Hijrah.
"The utmost congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territory of Johor Darul Ta'zim and Her Majesty Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah for receiving another grandchild.
"May the prince be bestowed with health and protected by Him," said Khaled in a statement.
The Johor Royal Press Office also released an official photograph of Tunku Ismail and Che Puan Khaleeda with their new child.
Lekha Nandy, who is a Malaysian Red Crescent national committee member represented the organisation in congratulating Tunku Ismail and Che Puan Khaleeda on their new baby boy.
"We at the Red Crescent are very happy in hearing the news of the arrival of the heir to the throne and we convey happy wishes to both Tunku Mahkota Johor and Che Puan Khaleeda. Congratulations!," Lekha told the New Straits Times.
Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the arrival of the new boy to the royal family was sure to bring a lot of luck to the state.
"As an heir to the throne, the new baby boy will bring 'ong' (luck) to Johor. All of Bangsa Johor, including the Chinese community are very happy at the news and we congratulate His Majesty the Sultan of Johor as well as Tunku Mahkota Johor," said Tee.
Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association president Datuk Seri Tey Kim Chai said the birth of an heir to the throne was something that was cause for celebration.
"As Johoreans, we pray for harmony and the wellbeing of our state and the birth of an heir to the Johor throne is something that will add to the state's prosperity.
"I pray for the health for His Majesty the Sultan of Johor and Tunku Mahkota Johor, and wish the entire royal family well on this auspicious occassion," said Tey.
A Facebook user known as Fikri Fiq said it was a joyful month for both the TMJ (Tunku Mahkota Johor) and his wife.
"Double celebration, anniversary on 24th of October and new baby boy today, congrats to TMJ & CPK (Che Puan Khaleeda) and royal family of Johor," he said.
Tunku Ismail and Che’ Puan Khaleeda’s first child was a daughter, Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah, who was born on June 25 last year.
Tunku Ismail, 33, and Che’ Puan Khaleeda, 24, were married at Istana Bukit Serene on Oct 24, 2014.
The Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page, which is the official social media outlet for the Darul Ta'zim football club that is owned by Tunku Ismail, also conveyed congratulatory messages.
"Praise be to Allah SWT and utmost congratulations to HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor, and HH Che Puan Khaleeda following the birth of an heir to the throne of Johor on October 14th, 2017 in the royal ward of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Baru.
"HH Che Puan Khaleeda and the young prince are in good health. Allah Peliharakan Sultan," said the Johor Southern Tigers.