Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin
Encyclopedia
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (born 22 January 1962) is the 17th Sultan
of Terengganu
and the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
, the constitutional head of state of Malaysia. He is Malay by ethnicity and an adherent of Sunni Islam
, both of which are prerequisites for Malaysian royalty.
, the eldest son of Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
by his second wife, Sharifa Nong Fatima. Sharifa's family is of Arab
descent, from Syed Omar Aljunied
, one of the modern pioneers of Singapore
.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Sulaiman and Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman, Kuala Terengganu. He went overseas to study at the Geelong Grammar School
in Geelong, Australia
. In 1988, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin completed his undergraduate studies at U.S. International University-Europe (now called Alliant International University
) in London
, earning a B.A.
in International Relations.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin participated in the military course PRE SMC (E) 33 at the Army School of Languages from 1982 to 1983. He then studied the military course SMC 33 at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
in England
, successfully completing the course as Cadet Officer on 9 December 1983.
, Kuala Terengganu. Besides working for UPEN, Tuanku Mizan was also Assistant District Land Officer at the Kuala Terengganu District Land Office.
of the State of Terengganu on the 6 November 1979. On 20 October 1990, he was appointed the Acting Sultan of Terengganu to 8 November 1990.
From 1991 to 1995, Mizan was President of the Council for Islam and Malay Culture of Terengganu.
Mizan became the youngest ruler of a Malaysian federal state when he was appointed as the Sultan of Terengganu
on 15 May 1998 following the death of his father, Sultan Mahmud. Mizan was crowned as the 17th Sultan of Terengganu on 4 March 1999.
He serves as Colonel-in-Chief
of Kor Armor DiRaja (Royal Armoured Corps) and Kor Ordinance DiRaja (Royal Ordnance Corps) of the Malaysian Army
in his capacity as Sultan of Terengganu,
won two-thirds of the seats in the state parliament, was the last to appoint a Menteri Besar
(Chief Minister) after the 2008 general elections. In the formation of the new Terengganu state government, the federal government under Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
recommended Idris Jusoh
as Menteri Besar, who received full support of 23 of the 24 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen elected. However, on 22 March, the office of the Sultan of Terengganu
announced the appointment of Kijal
assemblyman Ahmad Said
instead of Idris Jusoh, as was the Sultan's constitutional right.
The Prime Minister claimed that the appointment of Ahmad Said was unconstitutional as it went against the wishes of the assemblymen and the Prime Minister's office, all of whom had supported Idris Jusoh's candidacy for Menteri Besar.
On 26 March, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin met at Istana Negara
to resolve the impasse. The Prime Minister accepted the King's appointment of Ahmad Said as Menteri Besar of Terengganu. He also apologised to the King for the public spat over the appointment of the Menteri Besar, explaining that there was no intention to disparage or humiliate the royal household. This apparent climbdown was due to the possibility that the royal household would be prepared to dissolve the state assembly if there had been a motion of no-confidence against Ahmad Said by the 23 UMNO state assemblymen.
Ahmad Said continues to be Menteri Besar of Terengganu and is also Deputy Liaison Chief for UMNO in Terengganu, a party position normally assumed by the Menteri Besar of a state.
on 26 April 1999 after Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the Sultan of Selangor
was elected the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers
. Following the death of Salahuddin, Mizan became Acting YDPA on 21 November 2001.
Mizan was re-appointed Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 13 December 2001 after the Conference of Rulers elected Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra
Jamalullail as the 12th YDPA.
Mizan served as the first Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
(UMT) (2001–2006).
On 3 November 2006, Mizan was elected by the Conference of Rulers to become the 13th YDPA, with his five-year term starting 13 December 2006. The Conference of Rulers appointed Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah as the Deputy YDPA. Mizan's appointment was the fourth following a second rotation system amongst the nine Malay Rulers. This five-year rotational constitutional monarchy is unique to Malaysia.
On 26 April 2007, Mizan was formally installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Mizan, 44, is the third youngest YDPA after Tuanku Syed Putra
of Perlis
and Tuanku Abdul Halim
of Kedah
who were elected at age 40 and 43 respectively. He is also the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong born after Hari Merdeka
(Malaysian Independence Day), which fell on 31 August 1957.
on 28 March 1996 in Kuala Terengganu. She is only the second Raja Permaisuri Agong
(Queen of Malaysia) to habitually wear the hijab
(ritual Islamic headscarf for women).
The royal couple has two sons and two daughters: Princess Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah (b. 18 December 1996), Prince Tengku Muhammad Ismail
(b. 1 March 1998), Prince Tengku Muhammad Mu'az (b. 22 December 2000), and Princess Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra' (b. 19 April 2002).
Mizan appointed his eldest son, Tengku Muhammad Ismail, the Regent
of Terengganu at the age of eight in 2006. Due to his youth, a three-member Regency Advisory Council was set up to discharge his duties. The council was headed by Raja Tengku Baderulzaman, Sultan Mizan’s younger brother. The other members were Sultan Mizan’s uncle Tengku Sri Laksamana Raja Tengku Sulaiman Ismail and former Federal Court judge Dato' Haji Abdul Kadir Sulaiman.
Upon reaching Mukallah (13 years of age), the Islamic age of responsibility, and according to Syariah law and the constitution of Terengganu, Tuanku Mahummad Ismail became able to discharge his duties himself. However, the Sultan formed another council, Majlis Perwakilan Pemangku Raja, to perform the Regent’s duty while he was away from Terengganu pursuing his studies. This second and current council is headed by Tengku Mustafa Kamel, another of Sultan Mizan’s younger brothers, together with former Regency Advisory Council members Tengku Sri Laksamana Raja Tengku Sulaiman Ismail and Dato' Haji Abdul Kadir Sulaiman.
During his younger days, Sultan Mizan was a keen footballer. He is currently active in golf
, endurance riding
and scuba diving
. In addition, the Global Taekwondo
Federation GTF) awarded Mizan an Honorary 7th Degree Black Belt
in recognition of his active participation in the sport.
Other honours and titles Mizan has received include the Darjah Seri Setia Sultan Mahmud Terengganu Yang Amat Terpuji (S.S.M.T) on 12 February 1989, the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Terengganu Yang Amat Dihormati (S.P.M.T.) on 6 March 1982, the Darjah Kerabat Baginda Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalulail (D.K.) on 28 May 1998, the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati (D.K. ) and the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor (S.P.M.J.) on 8 April 1986.
Mizan received the esteemed Darjah Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN) on 27 February 1999.
Mizan holds the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force in his full constitutional duties as Commander-in-Chief
of the Malaysian Armed Forces as well as the ranks of Field Marshal
of the Malaysian Army
and Admiral of the Fleet
of the Royal Malaysian Navy
.
Officially, Mizan's full style and title is Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah or translated into English as His Majesty The Supreme Ruler Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
.
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
of Terengganu
Terengganu
Terengganu is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman...
and the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
, the constitutional head of state of Malaysia. He is Malay by ethnicity and an adherent of Sunni Islam
Sunni Islam
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam. Sunni Muslims are referred to in Arabic as ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah wa āl-Ǧamāʿah or ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah for short; in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis or Sunnites....
, both of which are prerequisites for Malaysian royalty.
Early life and education
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was born at Istana Maziah in Kuala TerengganuKuala Terengganu
-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river...
, the eldest son of Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
Almarhum Al-Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Al-Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Al-Haj was the 16th Sultan of Terengganu from 1979 to 1998.-Life:Sultan Mahmud was born in 29 April 1930 in Kuala Terengganu...
by his second wife, Sharifa Nong Fatima. Sharifa's family is of Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
descent, from Syed Omar Aljunied
Aljunied
Aljunied is a sub-urban area located in the eastern part of the city-state of Singapore. Named after Aljunied Road, it was formally agricultural land which has since been heavily urbanised and presently comprises a variety of landuses...
, one of the modern pioneers of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin studied at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Sulaiman and Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman, Kuala Terengganu. He went overseas to study at the Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, boarding and day school. The school's main campus is located at Corio, on the northern outskirts of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, overlooking Corio Bay and Limeburners Bay....
in Geelong, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. In 1988, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin completed his undergraduate studies at U.S. International University-Europe (now called Alliant International University
Alliant International University
Alliant International University is a private, non-profit higher education institution based in San Diego, California. It offers programs in six California cities and four locations outside the United States...
) in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, earning a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in International Relations.
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin participated in the military course PRE SMC (E) 33 at the Army School of Languages from 1982 to 1983. He then studied the military course SMC 33 at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, successfully completing the course as Cadet Officer on 9 December 1983.
Career before becoming Sultan
On 15 September 1981, Tuanku Mizan was appointed as Assistant Land Levy Collector, working for a period of about a year at the District Land Office in Kuala Terengganu, prior to his departure overseas to attend the military course in England. Tuanku Mizan's next appointment in 1988 was as State Administrative Officer at the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) in Wisma Darul ImanWisma Darul Iman
Wisma Darul Iman is Terengganu's state secretariat building. It is located in Kuala Terengganu....
, Kuala Terengganu. Besides working for UPEN, Tuanku Mizan was also Assistant District Land Officer at the Kuala Terengganu District Land Office.
Sultan
Mizan was appointed the Crown PrinceCrown 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....
of the State of Terengganu on the 6 November 1979. On 20 October 1990, he was appointed the Acting Sultan of Terengganu to 8 November 1990.
From 1991 to 1995, Mizan was President of the Council for Islam and Malay Culture of Terengganu.
Mizan became the youngest ruler of a Malaysian federal state when he was appointed as the Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu is the title of the constitutional head of Terengganu state in Malaysia. The current sultan, Mizan Zainal Abidin, is the seventeenth Sultan of Terengganu...
on 15 May 1998 following the death of his father, Sultan Mahmud. Mizan was crowned as the 17th Sultan of Terengganu on 4 March 1999.
He serves as Colonel-in-Chief
Colonel-in-Chief
In the various Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its patron. This position is distinct from that of Colonel of the Regiment. They do not have an operational role. They are however kept informed of all important activities of the regiment, and pay occasional visits to its...
of Kor Armor DiRaja (Royal Armoured Corps) and Kor Ordinance DiRaja (Royal Ordnance Corps) of the Malaysian Army
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy...
in his capacity as Sultan of Terengganu,
2008 Menteri Besar appointment crisis
The state of Terengganu, where Barisan NasionalBarisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
won two-thirds of the seats in the state parliament, was the last to appoint a 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...
(Chief Minister) after the 2008 general elections. In the formation of the new Terengganu state government, the federal government under Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
recommended Idris Jusoh
Idris Jusoh
Haji Idris bin Jusoh was the former Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.- Crisis in Terengganu :...
as Menteri Besar, who received full support of 23 of the 24 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen elected. However, on 22 March, the office of the Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu is the title of the constitutional head of Terengganu state in Malaysia. The current sultan, Mizan Zainal Abidin, is the seventeenth Sultan of Terengganu...
announced the appointment of Kijal
Kijal
Kijal is a small town in southern Terengganu, Malaysia. The town is well-known for the Awana Kijal Golf and Beach Resort, a luxury resort and a stop over for Star Cruises ocean liners, which are both owned by the Genting Group.Kijal was popularly known because of its durian and lemang...
assemblyman Ahmad Said
Ahmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
instead of Idris Jusoh, as was the Sultan's constitutional right.
The Prime Minister claimed that the appointment of Ahmad Said was unconstitutional as it went against the wishes of the assemblymen and the Prime Minister's office, all of whom had supported Idris Jusoh's candidacy for Menteri Besar.
On 26 March, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin met at Istana Negara
Istana Negara
Istana Negara is the official residence of His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. It stands on a 13 acre site, located at a commanding position on the slope of a hill of Bukit Petaling overlooking the Klang River, along Jalan Syed Putra.Another royal residence of the Yang di-Pertuan...
to resolve the impasse. The Prime Minister accepted the King's appointment of Ahmad Said as Menteri Besar of Terengganu. He also apologised to the King for the public spat over the appointment of the Menteri Besar, explaining that there was no intention to disparage or humiliate the royal household. This apparent climbdown was due to the possibility that the royal household would be prepared to dissolve the state assembly if there had been a motion of no-confidence against Ahmad Said by the 23 UMNO state assemblymen.
Ahmad Said continues to be Menteri Besar of Terengganu and is also Deputy Liaison Chief for UMNO in Terengganu, a party position normally assumed by the Menteri Besar of a state.
Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Mizan was appointed Deputy Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
on 26 April 1999 after Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the Sultan of Selangor
Sultan of Selangor
Sultan of Selangor is the title of the constitutional ruler of Selangor, Malaysia.-Bugis bloodline:The Sultans of Selangor are descended from a Bugis dynasty that claim descent from the rulers of Luwu in the southern part of Celebes...
was elected the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers
Conference of Rulers
The Conference of Rulers in Malaysia is a council comprising the nine rulers of the Malay states, and the governors or Yang di-Pertua Negeri of the other four states...
. Following the death of Salahuddin, Mizan became Acting YDPA on 21 November 2001.
Mizan was re-appointed Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 13 December 2001 after the Conference of Rulers elected Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail is the current Raja of Perlis, reigning since 17 April 2000. He served as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 13 December 2001 to 12 December 2006 and 7th Raja of Perlis since 2000....
Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra
Tuanku Syed Putra
Raja Syed Putra ibni Syed Hassan Jamalullail, KCMG was the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya, and later of Malaysia , and sixth Raja of Perlis from 1945 to 2000....
Jamalullail as the 12th YDPA.
Mizan served as the first Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
The Universiti Malaysia Terengganu or UMT, formerly known as Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia or KUSTEM was officially chartered on February 1, 2007.-Names:...
(UMT) (2001–2006).
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
On 26 April 2007, Mizan was formally installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Mizan, 44, is the third youngest YDPA after Tuanku Syed Putra
Tuanku Syed Putra
Raja Syed Putra ibni Syed Hassan Jamalullail, KCMG was the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya, and later of Malaysia , and sixth Raja of Perlis from 1945 to 2000....
of Perlis
Perlis
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south...
and Tuanku Abdul Halim
Tuanku Abdul Halim
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, GCB KStJ is the designate Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia following his election in 2011, as well as the 27th and current Sultan of Kedah. He previously served as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970 to 1975...
of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
who were elected at age 40 and 43 respectively. He is also the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong born after Hari Merdeka
Hari Merdeka
Hari Merdeka is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. It is not to be confused with the formation of Malaysia...
(Malaysian Independence Day), which fell on 31 August 1957.
Marriage and family
Mizan married Sultanah Nur ZahirahSultanah Nur Zahirah
Tuanku Nur Zahirah is the Permaisuri of Terengganu, and the 13th and current Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia.-Early life:Born Rozita binti Adil Bakeri on December 7, 1973 in Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia she received her primary school education at Sekolah Kebangsaan St. Nicholas' Convent, and her...
on 28 March 1996 in Kuala Terengganu. She is only the second Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
(Queen of Malaysia) to habitually wear the hijab
Hijab
The word "hijab" or "'" refers to both the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general....
(ritual Islamic headscarf for women).
The royal couple has two sons and two daughters: Princess Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah (b. 18 December 1996), Prince Tengku Muhammad Ismail
Tengku Muhammad Ismail
Tengku Muhammad Ismail ibni Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin is the Regent of Terengganu. He is the son of the current sultan, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and assumed the regency in December 2006 after his father's election as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.-Biography:Tengku Muhammad Ismail was born 1 March 1998...
(b. 1 March 1998), Prince Tengku Muhammad Mu'az (b. 22 December 2000), and Princess Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra' (b. 19 April 2002).
Mizan appointed his eldest son, Tengku Muhammad Ismail, the Regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of Terengganu at the age of eight in 2006. Due to his youth, a three-member Regency Advisory Council was set up to discharge his duties. The council was headed by Raja Tengku Baderulzaman, Sultan Mizan’s younger brother. The other members were Sultan Mizan’s uncle Tengku Sri Laksamana Raja Tengku Sulaiman Ismail and former Federal Court judge Dato' Haji Abdul Kadir Sulaiman.
Upon reaching Mukallah (13 years of age), the Islamic age of responsibility, and according to Syariah law and the constitution of Terengganu, Tuanku Mahummad Ismail became able to discharge his duties himself. However, the Sultan formed another council, Majlis Perwakilan Pemangku Raja, to perform the Regent’s duty while he was away from Terengganu pursuing his studies. This second and current council is headed by Tengku Mustafa Kamel, another of Sultan Mizan’s younger brothers, together with former Regency Advisory Council members Tengku Sri Laksamana Raja Tengku Sulaiman Ismail and Dato' Haji Abdul Kadir Sulaiman.
During his younger days, Sultan Mizan was a keen footballer. He is currently active in golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, endurance riding
Endurance riding
Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI. There are endurance rides worldwide....
and scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
. In addition, the Global Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
Federation GTF) awarded Mizan an Honorary 7th Degree Black Belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in recognition of his active participation in the sport.
Titles
Mizan was conferred the dignitary titles of the Darjah Utama Kerabat Terengganu (D.K.T.) on 15 May 1998 and, before this, the Darjah Kerabat Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia Darjah yang Pertama (D.K.) on 9 March 1981.Other honours and titles Mizan has received include the Darjah Seri Setia Sultan Mahmud Terengganu Yang Amat Terpuji (S.S.M.T) on 12 February 1989, the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Terengganu Yang Amat Dihormati (S.P.M.T.) on 6 March 1982, the Darjah Kerabat Baginda Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalulail (D.K.) on 28 May 1998, the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati (D.K. ) and the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor (S.P.M.J.) on 8 April 1986.
Mizan received the esteemed Darjah Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN) on 27 February 1999.
Mizan holds the rank of Marshal of the Royal Malaysian Air Force in his full constitutional duties as Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the Malaysian Armed Forces as well as the ranks of Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
of the Malaysian Army
Malaysian Army
The Malaysian Army is the land component of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Steeped in British Army traditions, the Malaysian Army does not carry the title ‘royal’ as do the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Navy...
and Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet
An admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments...
of the Royal Malaysian Navy
Royal Malaysian Navy
The Royal Malaysian Navy is the naval arm of Malaysian Armed Forces. All commissioned ships of the RMN have the prefix KD , which means Royal Ship.-Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve:...
.
Officially, Mizan's full style and title is Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah or translated into English as His Majesty The Supreme Ruler Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
.
Educational institutions
- Institut Pendidikan Guru, Kampus Sultan Mizan at BesutBesutBesut is a district in the Malaysian state of Terengganu. It is bordered by the state of Kelantan to the north and the South China Sea to the east. It is the northern gateway to Terengganu. Kampung Raja is the district capital, though Jertih is more developed. Another major town is Kuala Besut....
- Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at DungunDungunDungun is a coastal district of the Malaysian state of Terengganu. Kuala Dungun is the capital of the district.Kuala Dungun town used to be an iron mining town in the 1940s. Iron ores were actually mined in a small town inland called Bukit Besi located to the west, while Kuala Dungun served as the...
Buildings, Bridges and Roads
- Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin MosqueTuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin MosqueThe Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, or Iron Mosque is the second principal mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia after Putra Mosque. It is located in Putrajaya's Precinct 3, opposite the Palace of Justice. Construction began since April 2004 and was fully completed on August 2009....
(known as Iron Mosque) at PutrajayaPutrajayaPutrajaya is a planned city, located 25km south of Kuala Lumpur, that serves as the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, due to the overcrowding and congestion in the Kuala Lumpur areas... - Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin StadiumSultan Mizan Zainal Abidin StadiumSultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium is a new multi-purpose stadium in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, which was constructed by South Korean construction firm. It was used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 50,000 people. It is the biggest stadium in the East Coast region of Peninsular...
at Kuala TerengganuKuala Terengganu-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river... - Jalan Tengku Mizan (known as Sultan Mahmud Bridge HighwaySultan Mahmud Bridge HighwaySultan Mahmud Bridge Highway or Jalan Tengku Mizan, Federal route is a major highway in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.-List of interchanges:...
) on Federal RouteMalaysia Federal Route 3Federal Route 3 is a main federal road on the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. The roads connects Rantau Panjang in Kelantan until Johor Bahru in Johor...
in Kuala TerengganuKuala Terengganu-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river...