Malaysian princess weds Dutchman in traditional style
The daughter of one of Malaysia’s most powerful sultans married her Dutch fiance yesterday in a ceremony steeped in centuries of tradition.
Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim, 31, the only daughter of the Sultan of Johor, wed Dennis Muhammad Abdullah, 28, capping a romance of more than three years with a day of lavish celebrations.
The Dutchman, who has converted to Islam, married the princess according to Muslim Malay custom at the Serene Hill Palace, the royal family’s residence in the southern city of Johor Bahru. The private ceremony was attended by close family and friends.
The groom wore traditional white Malay wedding attire and the bride wore a white dress.
In keeping with centuries-old wedding customs in the Muslim-majority state of Johor, he also gave her a dowry of 22.50 Malaysian ringgit (Dh19). The couple kissed the hands of their parents, aunts and uncles as a mark of respect.
An evening reception was to be the main event, with about 1,200 guests due to attend and crowds expected to watch the event on a big screen in a city square.
“I am taking my wife and two young children to the square tonight to witness the broadcast of the evening celebrations,” said Azim Mohamad Nurazim, 34, a salesman.
“It is a celebration for all Johoreans. My message to Tunku Aminah and her husband is long and healthy life, and may Allah bless the couple with lots of children.”
The Dutchman, who works for a property development company in Johor, was born Dennis Verbaas and adopted a Muslim name when he converted to Islam in 2015.
Johor’s royal family is rich and has its own private army – the only state to have one.
Malaysia has a unique arrangement in which the throne of the Muslim-majority country changes hands every five years between the rulers of the nine states, which are still led by Malay royalty.
The current king is Sultan Muhammad V, from the conservative northern state of Kelantan, who is due to step down in 2021.
Kings are decided by a council of the rulers themselves. Four states do not participate as they do not have royal rulers.