In a statement, Tunku Ismail said he was named as the regent of the state today by his father,  Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

“HRH Regent of Johor was entrusted by HM Sultan of Johor to carry out duties, administer the State of Johor and has all powers provided to a Sultan, which can be exercised at any time,” the statement read.

Under the Johor constitution, the sultan has the right to appoint his heir to act as regent on his behalf when he was absent.

This is not the first time the vocal crown prince, popularly known as TMJ, was appointed as the regent.

In April 15, 2016, he was appointed Regent of Johor during the absence of Sultan Ibrahim, who visited several countries, including Japan, on April 16 and returned on May 3.

Tunku Ismail, who is the first in line to the Johor throne, was also appointed as the acting Johor Ruler in 2011.

Tunku Ismail became the Crown Prince of Johor with the title of Tunku Mahkota Johor on Jan 28, 2010.