'On his first day at kindergarten, Tunku Ismail didn't want me to leave him'

HER Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia shared her memories in conjunction with the 41st birthday of her eldest son, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

In a message uploaded on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook, Raja Zarith Sofiah said the birth of an eldest child brought a new experience, full of joy for all parents, as it did for her Majesty and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

During Tunku Ismail's birth on the first day of Syawal, Hari Raya Puasa, Sultan Ibrahim was visiting his aunt and family and was informed by Raja Zarith Sofiah that she had given birth to her eldest son, Tunku Ismail.

“As parents, for the first time we celebrated the birth of our eldest son with great joy and gratitude to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Alhamdulillah.

“There are many sweet memories during his childhood, as he grew up with his siblings. I still remember the first day I sent him to kindergarten.

“He didn’t want me to leave him, so I stood in the classroom window as long as I was allowed,” her Majesty shared today.

Raja Zarith Sofiah also said that the years Tunku Ismail spent as a cadet and then as an army officer in India were very difficult for her and Sultan Ibrahim.

“However, we managed to visit him at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and met the family who cared for and accepted him with love in their home and in their hearts,” her Majesty shared.

Raja Zarith Sofiah also still remembers how Tunku Mahkota always asked her to buy him a PlayStation.

“Every time a new version was released, he would be excited and ask me to buy it. Among the PlayStation games he played were FIFA football.

“I would ask him, “What game is this? What does Teak (the nickname of the Crown Prince) have to do? and he would answer, “Teak must choose a football manager, and Teak must choose the right players for Teak’s football team.”

“I never thought that one day he would realise the game in real life with Tunku Mahkota Ismail now taking on the role as the influential owner and manager of the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) football club,” said her Majesty.

Raja Zarith Sofiah also left a prayer in conjunction with Tunku Ismail’s birthday.

“We both prayed that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala would bless him with health, happiness, and success.

“We ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to guide him and grant him many happy years with his wife and children, and may he be blessed with the wisdom to love and care for the people of Johor,” she added. - June 30, 2025