Tunku Abdul Rahman (Tunku Mahkota of Johor)
Encyclopedia
Tunku Abdul Rahman ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Sir Ismail Al-Khalidi (25 November 1933–12 July 1989) was the younger son of Sultan Ismail of Johor as well as the younger brother of Sultan Iskandar of Johor. Abdul Rahman held the post of Tunku Mahkota (or Crown Prince
) for twenty years until shortly before his father's death in 1981. His termination of his post generated considerable controversy for a brief period of time.
by his father, Sultan Ismail on 10 August 1961, after his brother, Tunku Iskandar (now Sultan Iskandar) was disinherited from the post on grounds of alleged misbehaviour. Five years later in December 1966, Tunku Iskandar was appointed as the Raja Muda at the request of their Sultan Ismail and was approved by the Council of Royal Court, and placing him second in line to the royal throne behind Tunku Abdul Rahman. On 29 April 1981, as Sultan Ismail lay ill on his deathbed, Tunku Iskandar was appointed Tunku Mahkota in favour of him.
The decision took many people by surprise, including the then-Menteri Besar
of Johor, Othman Saat
who promptly criticised the Sultan's actions, and earning the wrath of Tunku Iskandar at the same time. Abdul Rahman, on the other hand, decided to remain silent initially but later took his grievances to his press and expressed his shock and disappointment over his father's decision, suggesting that he had done nothing wrong in the twenty years as the Tunku Mahkota and also cited some of his significant contributions to the state during his tenure.
After his death, the post of Tunku Bendahara was passed down to Sultan Iskandar's younger son, Tunku Majid.
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
) for twenty years until shortly before his father's death in 1981. His termination of his post generated considerable controversy for a brief period of time.
Succession crisis
Abdul Rahman was appointed Tunku Mahkota of JohorJohor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
by his father, Sultan Ismail on 10 August 1961, after his brother, Tunku Iskandar (now Sultan Iskandar) was disinherited from the post on grounds of alleged misbehaviour. Five years later in December 1966, Tunku Iskandar was appointed as the Raja Muda at the request of their Sultan Ismail and was approved by the Council of Royal Court, and placing him second in line to the royal throne behind Tunku Abdul Rahman. On 29 April 1981, as Sultan Ismail lay ill on his deathbed, Tunku Iskandar was appointed Tunku Mahkota in favour of him.
The decision took many people by surprise, including the then-Menteri Besar
Menteri Besar
The Menteri Besar is the chief executive of the state government for states in Malaysia with hereditary rulers. For states without a monarch, the title Chief Minister is used...
of Johor, Othman Saat
Othman Saat
Tan Sri Othman bin Saat was a former Menteri Besar of the state of Johor in Malaysia. Born in Muar, he had been actively involved in politics since 1946. He was the third Mentri Besar of Johor from 1967 to 1982.-References:...
who promptly criticised the Sultan's actions, and earning the wrath of Tunku Iskandar at the same time. Abdul Rahman, on the other hand, decided to remain silent initially but later took his grievances to his press and expressed his shock and disappointment over his father's decision, suggesting that he had done nothing wrong in the twenty years as the Tunku Mahkota and also cited some of his significant contributions to the state during his tenure.
Later life
After the succession crisis, Abdul Rahman reverted to his old post of Tunku Bendahara, a post which he once briefly held from 1959-1961. Abdul Rahman, by now in ailing health, held that post until his death in 1989. In his later years, his health, already plagued by diabetes, worsened which ultimately saw one of his legs being amputated.After his death, the post of Tunku Bendahara was passed down to Sultan Iskandar's younger son, Tunku Majid.