Tunku Ismail Idris - Career and Interests

Career and Interests

Following a family tradition of getting trained in armed forces, with his late grandfather in the Malaysian Army and father in the US Army, Tunku Ismail aspired for a career in the Indian armed forces. In July 2003, he enrolled as a cadet officer in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), India’s premier military training school located at Dehradun. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in December 2004 and absorbed into the Indian army. He was promoted to the rank of captain in December 2007. He is the first ever Malaysian royal to join the Indian armed forces.

The Malaysian prince is the first foreigner to lead a unit of Indian Army in the Indian Republic Day Parade. On 26 January 2007, with a rank of captain in Indian Army, he led a mounted column of Jaipur-based 61 Cavalry regiment to salute president of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the Republic Day celebrations. The president himself chose Tunku Ismail to lead the unit of around 400 men of the world's only non-ceremonial horse-mounted cavalry. The parade was witnessed by chief guest of the day president of Russia Vladimir Putin and his entourage, along with other dignitaries of Indian politics and military amidst tight security. Tunku Ismail's father Tunku Ibrahim Ismail flew in from Johor Bahru on 23 January 2007 to be present at the celebrations while his son added a chapter to the history of Indian Army.

A polo enthusiast, Tunku Ismail is a skilful horse rider. He was bestowed the Best in Riding award among IMA cadets for year 2003-2004. He is also a polo player for his regiment and has won many trophies. In football, he is the president of Johor FC.

The prince is also a sports car enthusiast. He currently drives a Mustang Shelby GT500, but also has a Cadillac CTS V, Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Challenger R/T, all under the same license plate.