Editing Iskandar of Johor (section)

==Sultan of Johor==
[[File:Keluargamahkota56.jpg|thumb|left|The Royal family of Johor on celebrating the birthday of Dr Heah Hock Chye in 1956. From left: Tunku Mahmood Iskandar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sultanah Aminah, Che Khalsom binti Abdullah ([[Josephine Ruby Trevorrow]], wife to Tunku Mahmood Iskandar), Tunku Maimunah, Sultan [[Ismail of Johor]].]]
Mahmood returned to Malaysia in 1956 upon completing his studies, and briefly served as a cadet officer in the Johor Civil Service,<ref>[http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/portal_bi/rk3/rk3a.php?id=rk3_8 His Majesty and Her Majesty] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813024825/http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/portal_bi/rk3/rk3a.php?id=rk3_8 |date=13 August 2009 }}, Website of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Retrieved 3 January 2009</ref> taking charge of affairs in District Affairs, Land and Treasury departments until his appointment as the Tunku Mahkota of Johor in May 1959.<ref name="Thanam Visvanathan"/> Mahmood was appointed the Tunku Mahkota of Johor from 1959 to 1961, and Raja Muda of Johor from 1966 to 1981, by Sultan Ismail. On 29 April 1981, he was re-appointed as the Tunku Mahkota shortly before his father's death.<ref>[http://www.johordt.gov.my/bm/kerajaan/ Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Almutawakkil Alallah, Sultan Iskandar Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Ismail Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Negeri Johor Darul Ta'zim] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109202509/http://www.johordt.gov.my/bm/kerajaan/ |date=9 January 2009 }}</ref>

On 10 May 1981, Mahmood was appointed as the Regent of Johor following the death of his father, and was sworn in as Sultan a day later, shortly before his father was buried.<ref name="IskandarMahkota">Asian RecorderPublished by K. K. Thomas at Recorder Press, 1981, pg 16108</ref> In turn, his younger brother, [[Tunku Abdul Rahman (1933–1989)|Tunku Abdul Rahman]] (not to be confused with [[Tunku Abdul Rahman]], Malaysia's first prime minister), formerly the Tunku Mahkota of Johor for twenty years under Sultan Ismail, was demoted to a lower position, the Tunku Bendahara of Johor, a post which he held until his death in 1989.<ref name="TanCK5"/> In the same year on 12 December, Sultan Iskandar was appointed as the Chancellor of the [[University of Technology Malaysia]].<ref>''Information Malaysia (1990)'', pg 906</ref> Unlike the other preceding Sultan of Johors who had their own coronation ceremony, he did not have one.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ismail|first=Fauziah|title=Ruler close to the people's heart|url=http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/ruler-close-to-the-people-s-heart-1.126308?localLinksEnabled=false|access-date=6 December 2012|newspaper=New Straits Times|date=17 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821095124/http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/ruler-close-to-the-people-s-heart-1.126308?localLinksEnabled=false|archive-date=21 August 2012}}</ref>

Under the council of rulers, the elective monarchy system of Malaysia, Sultan Iskandar was elected on 9 February 1984 as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, shortly before his predecessor's term expired on 26 April 1984. He succeeded the [[Sultan of Pahang]] as the Yang-Di Pertuan Agong on 26 April.<ref>''The Europa Year Book: A World Survey'' (1984), pg xiv</ref> A royal investiture was held shortly after that, in which he donned the traditional suit of the Agong, whereby he was officially installed.<ref>Milne, Mauzy (1999), pg 35</ref> Sultan Iskandar served in the capacity as the Yang-Di Pertuan Agong until 1989, being succeeded by the [[Sultan of Perak]].<ref>[http://www.johordt.gov.my/bm/kerajaan/page/dymm_sultan_johor/ DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Almutawakkil Alallah, Sultan Iskandar Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Ismail] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214165314/http://www.johordt.gov.my/bm/kerajaan/page/dymm_sultan_johor/ |date=14 December 2008 }}, Kerajaan Negeri Johor Darul Ta'zim, Retrieved 3 January 2009</ref> As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Iskandar was automatically designated under constitutional provisions as the Supreme Commander of the [[Malaysian Armed Forces]], holding the rank of the [[Marshal of the Air Force|Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force]], Admiral of the Fleet of the [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] and Field Marshal of the Army.<ref>Alagappa (2001), pg 267</ref>

On 8 April 2006, the Sultan appointed his grandson [[Tunku Ismail Idris]]—the son of the Tunku Mahkota then—as the Raja Muda during an investiture in conjunction with his birthday. The rank of Raja Muda denoted that Ismail Idris was second in the line of succession to the Johorean royal throne.<ref name="star_rajamuda">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060410172958/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F4%2F9%2Fnation%2F13915164&sec=nation  Mahkota's son named Raja Muda of Johor]}}, [http://thestar.com.my The Star online], Star Publications, 9 April 2006.</ref>

===State affairs===
Sultan Iskandar held annual open house events either at the [[Istana Bukit Serene]], his official residence, or at the [[Istana Besar]].<ref>[http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/13/nation/20071013145427&sec=nation Thousands at PM's open house (update 4)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304014002/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F10%2F13%2Fnation%2F20071013145427&sec=nation |date=4 March 2009 }}, Manjit Kaur, Royce Cheah and Ng Si Hooi, 13 October 2007, [[The Star (Malaysia)]]</ref> On these days, the Sultan and his eldest son, the Tunku Mahkota, held special sessions whereby Johoreans came up to pay their respects to him.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071015164059/http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F10%2F15%2Fsouthneast%2F19170015&sec=southneast Day of fun and feasting]}}, Teh Eng Hock and Meera Vijayan, 15 October 2007, [[The Star (Malaysia)]]</ref> The Sultan also bestowed honorary awards on distinguished Malaysians from his annual birthday honours list on his birthday.<ref>[http://thestar.com.my/news/list.asp?file=/2004/4/9/nation/7728463&sec=nation Sultan of Johor's birthday honours list] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223222518/http://thestar.com.my/news/list.asp?file=%2F2004%2F4%2F9%2Fnation%2F7728463&sec=nation |date=23 February 2009 }}, 9 April 2004, [[The Star (Malaysia)]]</ref> As a matter of convention, the state government made 8 April a state public holiday to mark his birthday.<ref>''Anniversaries and Holidays'' (2000), pg 109</ref><ref>[http://www.jmg.gov.my/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=442&extmode=view&extid=29 Event: 'Sultan Of Johor's Birthday'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304000527/http://www.jmg.gov.my/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=442&extmode=view&extid=29 |date=4 March 2009 }}, Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG), 13 February 2009</ref>

Shortly before he became Agong in April 1984, Sultan Iskandar issued a proposal for the [[Orang Asli]]s to be referred to as the "Bumiputera Asli" (literally, Original Sons of the Soil). The proposal was made as Sultan Iskandar suggested that the Orang Aslis maintained a distinct identity from the Malays as the majority of them were not [[Muslim]]s. The proposal was subsequently scrapped, and the government made subsequent attempts to assimilate the Orang Aslis with the mainstream Malay society.<ref>Benjamin, Chou, (2002), pg 121</ref> After his inauguration as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he donated his Agong's salary to various scholarship boards that were open to Malaysians of all races.<ref>Low (1988), pg 192</ref>
[[File:JBIstana Besar.jpg|left|thumb|Steps to the main hall of Istana Besar, Johor Bahru]]

Sultan Iskandar issued a decree in 2007 which only allowed residences and properties owned by the Sultan and the Tunku Mahkota to be called [[Palace|Istana]], while properties belonging to other members of the royal family are to be known as "Kediaman". The terms "Istana" and "Kediaman" are translated as "[[Palace]]" and "Residences" in English, respectively.<ref>[http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Monday/MyJohor/2455469/Article/printarticle A palace in the sun] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124174839/http://nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Monday/MyJohor/2455469/Article/printarticle |date=24 January 2009 }}, Fauziah Ismail, JohorBuzz, New Straits Times</ref> The following December, Sultan Iskandar gave his endorsement for the state government to pass a law which would ban Muslims in the state from practising [[Yoga]], citing that [[Hindu]] elements in the exercise went against Islamic teachings. Applications to seek the Sultan's consent came from the state religious council, who acted under the instructions of the National Fatwa Council.<ref>[http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20081205-105731.html Ban on yoga likely in Johor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304033233/http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20081205-105731.html |date=4 March 2009 }}, 5 December 2008, New Straits Times</ref><ref>[http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Saturday/Stories/2436274/Article/index_html Johor prepares to enforce yoga ban] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304010844/http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Saturday/Stories/2436274/Article/index_html |date=4 March 2009 }}, JohorBuzz, New Straits Times</ref>

Sultan Iskandar graced the official landmark opening of the [[Southern Integrated Gateway#Sultan Iskandar Customs.2C Immigration and Quarantine Complex|Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine complex]] on 1 December 2008, in the presence of the Tunku Mahkota and several key cabinet ministers. The complex was named in honour of the Sultan,<ref>[http://medkom.my/berita/bangunan-sultan-iskandar-jadi-pintu-masuk-kepada-sembilan-juta-pengunjung.html Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Jadi Pintu Masuk Kepada Sembilan Juta Pengunjung] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304032901/http://medkom.my/berita/bangunan-sultan-iskandar-jadi-pintu-masuk-kepada-sembilan-juta-pengunjung.html |date=4 March 2009 }}, Hamirul Hairi Mohd Noh, 2 December 2008</ref> who expressed optimism for its success during his opening speech.<ref>[http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Tuesday/MyJohor/20081222200908/Article/index_html Glaring glitches mar historic opening] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126170821/http://nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Tuesday/MyJohor/20081222200908/Article/index_html |date=26 January 2009 }}, Syed Umar Ariff, 21 December 2008, [[New Straits Times]]</ref><ref>[http://medkom.my/video/dymm-sultan-iskandar-sultan-ismail-merasmikan-bangunan-sultan-iskandar.html DYMM Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail Merasmikan Bangunan Sultan Iskandar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125010633/http://medkom.my/video/dymm-sultan-iskandar-sultan-ismail-merasmikan-bangunan-sultan-iskandar.html |date=25 January 2009 }}, 2 December 2008, MedKom</ref>

===Foreign relations===
Since his ascension to the throne, Sultan Iskandar fostered particularly close ties with [[Singapore]], by developing a personal rapport with top Singaporean leaders. This practice was also taken up by his sons, the Tunku Mahkota and Tunku Aris Bendahara.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=2646&cid=21|date=13 October 2007|title=Ministers convey Hari Raya wishes to Sultan of Johor|publisher=[[People's Action Party]]|access-date=3 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304123516/http://www.pap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=2646&cid=21|archive-date=4 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Media reports highlighted the particularly warm reception which leaders of both countries received whenever they visited each other's domains,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/20070411985.htm|date=11 April 2007|title=Visit To Singapore By His Majesty Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, Sultan And Sovereign Ruler of the State And Territories of Johor Darul Ta'zim, 12 To 13 April 2007|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=1253&mode=&cid=23|date=25 October 2006|title=Warm friendship toasted at annual Hari Raya lunch with Johor Sultan|publisher=[[People's Action Party]]|access-date=4 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304123512/http://www.pap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=1253&mode=&cid=23|archive-date=4 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> particularly in July 1988, when Sultan Iskandar's visit to Singapore marked<ref>''The Little Red Dot: Reflections by Singapore's Diplomats'', Koh, Chang, pg 417</ref> the first official visit by any Yang di-Pertuan Agong since 1957.<ref>''Singapore-Malaysia Relations Under Abdullah Badawi'', pg 77, Saw, Kesavapany</ref><ref>''Political Handbook of Asia 2007'', Banks, Muller, Overstreet, pg 423</ref> Between these years, Sultan Iskandar has been awarded or been given the following awards by Singaporean political leaders:

* 1988: Singapore Deputy Prime Minister [[Goh Chok Tong]] received the Dato' Paduka Mahkota Johor (Kehormat) from the Sultan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/picas/public/internetSearch/catalogueForm.jsp?id=0000765029&thesaurusFlag=Y&simpleSearch=Goh+chok+tong+dato&photographOption=1&Submit=Submit&pageNumber=1&total=206|date=27 July 1988|title=First Deputy Prime Minister And Minister For Defence Goh Chok Tong Receiving Johor's Second Highest Award, Dato Paduka Mahkota Johor (Kehormat) From Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Iskandar of Johor in Istana State Room (Description of Event Provided By Transferring Agency)|publisher=[[Singapore Press Holdings]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304142021/http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/picas/public/internetSearch/catalogueForm.jsp?id=0000765029&thesaurusFlag=Y&simpleSearch=Goh+chok+tong+dato&photographOption=1&Submit=Submit&pageNumber=1&total=206|archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref>
* 2007: Sultan Iskandar was presented with the Honorary Master Parachutist Wing by Singapore Defence Minister [[Teo Chee Hean]].<ref name="Sultan of Johor Visits HQ Commando">{{cite news|url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/13apr07_nr.html|date=13 April 2007|title=Sultan of Johor Visits HQ Commando|publisher=[[MINDEF]]|access-date=3 January 2009|archive-date=21 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621012925/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/apr/13apr07_nr.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2007: Conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the [[National University of Singapore]].<ref name="Sultan of Johor Visits HQ Commando"/>

Relations with Singapore soured after the [[International Court of Justice]] ruled in Singapore's favour following a long legal battle over the [[Pedra Branca dispute|sovereignty]] of [[Pedra Branca, Singapore|Pedra Branca]]. At the inaugural session of the 12th Johor State Assembly in 2008, the Sultan stated his continued support of Malaysia's claim to Pedra Branca, and vowed to find legal means to retrieve the island's sovereignty.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/20/nation/21601771&sec=nation|work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|date=20 June 2008|title=Sultan vows to reclaim Batu Puteh island|author=Farik Zolkepli|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304004954/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F6%2F20%2Fnation%2F21601771&sec=nation|archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref>

Sultan Iskandar also fostered a fairly close relationship with the [[Sultan of Brunei]], [[Hassanal Bolkiah]], particularly during his days as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.<ref>''Negara Brunei Darussalam: A Biographical Dictionary (1860–1996)'' (1996), pg 290</ref> In 2006, they were again seen together in public, after Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah made a state visit to Johor to express his interest in the [[Iskandar Development Region]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/28/nation/22187799&sec=nation|date=28 August 2008|title=Brunei eyes Iskandar Malaysia project|work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304005006/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F8%2F28%2Fnation%2F22187799&sec=nation|archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref>