Almutawakkil Alallah, Sultan Iskandar ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, D.K., the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia was born on 8 April 1932 at the Semayam Palace in Johor Bahru. His mother is HRH Almarhum Sultanah Aminah binti Almarhum Ungku Ahmad. On 11 May 1981, he was installed as the Sultan of Johor.

Sultan Iskandar received his early education at Ngee Heng Primary School in Johor Bahru before furthering his studies at the English College (now called Sultan Abu Bakar College) in Johor Bahru. Later he furthered his studies at the Trinity Grammar School, in Australia and then to United Kingdom.

Upon completing his studies in 1956, Sultan Iskandar returned to Johor and served as a Cadet Officer with the Johor Civil Service. He was formally appointed the Tengku Mahkota (Crown Prince) on 29 April 1981. On 11 May 1981, he was proclaimed the fourth Sultan of Johor following his father’s demise.

Being a sovereign ruler, Sultan Iskandar is always close to his subjects and by the side especially when they are faced with natural catastrophe or the like.

As the Head of Religion, Sultan Iskandar is in close contact with the State Religious Council as well as senior officials of the religious department such as the head of the department, the chairman of the Islamic Affairs Committee and the Mufti of the state. As such, Sultan Iskandar always receives feedback from the government on the latest developments, problems and actions taken.

During his free time, Sultan Iskandar loves playing polo and his favorite sport is boardsailing. Since 1982, boardsailing had been included as one of the activities carried out during the celebration of his birthday. In fact, this event became an international championship, which has received very encouraging response from various countries like Thailand, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, Hawaii and Hong Kong.

Apart from that, Sultan Iskandar also has a passion for helicopters and ships. He owns several helicopters and a ship for cruising along the shores of Johor, which is the longest shore in Peninsula Malaysia.

When he was younger, Sultan Iskandar had many hobbies including horse-riding, fast cars, go-carts, race boats, hunting, tennis, golf, boxing, swimming and polo which remains his favorite.

Sultan Iskandar once won the Johor Grand Prix held for the first time during the 1960s in Johor Bahru. As a result of the Johor Grand Prix initiated by Sultan Iskandar, similar events are held in Kuala Lumpur.

Sultan Iskandar also received basic military training with the Johor Military Forces founded by his great grandfather Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar in 1885. Sultan Iskandar is currently the Commander of this military force.

Although Sultan Iskandar is strict in carrying out all duties assigned to him, he is a gentle and considerate person.

Sultan Iskandar was appointed as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia on 5 April 1982 replacing his late father who was the first Chancellor of the university since its establishment.

Sultan Iskandar married Sultanah Zanariah binti Tengku Ahmad and the royal couple have 10 children – two sons and eight daughters.

The Conference of Rulers in its 129th meeting elected Sultan Iskandar as the 8th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 26 April 1984. Sultan Iskandar was installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong VIII on 15 November 1984.

Sultanah Zanariah binti Almarhum Tunku Ahmad who comes from the Kelantan royal family is a person who adheres to the royal customs and is well versed in religious knowledge. She is always polite in interacting with the common people no matter where and when.

Her politeness and gentleness leave an impression on those who meet her. These characteristics are inherited by her sons and daughters.

Born on 5 July 1940, in Dusun Green, Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Sultanah Zanariah is the seventh child of HRH Tengku Panglima Raja Kelantan from among nine siblings.

Alongside palace upbringing, she began her formal education in 1946 at Sultanah Zainab School in Kelantan. Between 1950 and 1952 she studied at the Bukit Nanas Convent in Kuala Lumpur before returning to Kelantan where she continued her studies at Sultan Ibrahim School, Pasir Mas. With the encouragement of her father and her own desire to equip herself for the future, she left for England in 1954 to further her studies at the Upper Chime School, Isle of Wight.

It was in England that she met Sultan Iskandar who was also studying there.

In order to increase the religious knowledge of her children, she appointed several religious teachers to teach them at the palace.

Although busy performing her duties as a housewife and a mother, Sultanah Zanariah did not miss the opportunity of accompanying the Sultan for official functions in the country and abroad.

As the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Sultanah Zanariah was fully aware of her responsibilities towards the welfare of women especially in Johor. Thus, out of her own initiative, Sultanah Zanariah sponsored and established the Majlis Wanita Negeri Johor or MAWAR (the Women's Council of Johor), which organizes various religious activities such as the celebration of the Prophet’s birthday at its headquarters at Sungai Cat Road in Johor Bahru. MAWAR also collected donations for distribution among flood victims in Johor as well as the less fortunate and the needy.

Being a woman, Sultanah Zanariah has a passion for the arts. She also loves cooking and takes great care in her daily chores. She pays special attention to the selection and arrangement of decorations in the palace particularly in preparation for official dinners.

During her free time, Sultanah Zanariah loves to exercise, ride horses and play golf or tennis. She is also good in water skiing. She is also the first Sultanah of Johor who made history when she climbed Gunung Ledang, the highest mountain in Johor.

Sultanah Zanariah also loves reading especially about culture, history and affairs of neighboring countries.