Tunku Ismail Idris ibni Tunku Ibrahim Ismail

Tunku Ismail Idris ibni Tunku Ibrahim Ismail[4] (commonly addressed as Tunku Ismail Ibrahim,[5] born June 30, 1984)[1] is the Raja Muda of Johor. Tunku Ismail is currently serving as an officer of the Indian Army.

Tunku Ismail is the eldest son of the current Tunku Mahkota of Johor (Crown prince in English), Tunku Ibrahim Ismail and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah.[1] He is the grandson of the incumbent Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar.

Tunku Ismail was appointed Raja Muda (literally "Young King" in English)[6] on 8 April 2006 by his grandfather, the Sultan of Johor, and placing him second in line to the throne.[1][7]

Early life and education

Tunku Ismail completed his early education at Sekolah Sri Utama and Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan St. Joseph in Johor Bahru. He subsequently received secondary education at the Australian International School in Singapore and pursued his higher studies at Hale School in Perth, Australia, till 2002.

Relations Grandson of Sultan of Johor

Following a family tradition of getting trained in armed forces, with his grandfather in the Malaysian Army and father in the U.S. Army, Tunku Ismail aspired for a career in the Indian armed forces.[8] In July 2003, he enrolled as a cadet officer in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), India’s premier military training school located at Dehradun.[1] He was commissioned as a lieutenant in December 2004 and absorbed into the Indian army. He was promoted to the rank of captain in December 2007.[9] He is the first ever Malaysian royal to join the Indian armed forces.

The Malaysian prince is the first foreigner to lead a unit of Indian Army in the Indian Republic Day Parade.[8][10][11] On 26 January 2007, with a rank of captain in Indian Army, he led a mounted column of Jaipur based 61 Cavalry regiment to salute president of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the Republic Day celebrations.[10] The president himself chose Tunku Ismail to lead the unit of around 400 men of the world's only non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry.[9] The parade was witnessed by chief guest of the day president of Russia Vladimir Putin and his entourage, along with other dignitaries of Indian politics and military amidst tight security.[9][12] Tunku Ismail's father Tunku Ibrahim Ismail flew in from Johor Bahru on 23 January 2007 to be present at the celebrations while his son added a chapter to the history of Indian Army.[12]

A Polo enthusiast, Tunku Ismail is a skillful horse rider. He was bestowed the Best in Riding award among IMA cadets for year 2003-2004. He is also a polo player for his regiment and has won many trophies.[1]