Activists gathered to protest the Sedition Act after lawyer Fadiah Nadwa was questioned by police over an article deemed seditious for questioning the royal institution.

Fadiah’s article questioned Anwar's move to perpetuate a "feudal culture" at a time when monarchies in many other parts of the world had been rendered supposedly obsolete.

The image of Anwar and the Johor sultan was first shared by the Johor Royal Press Office on Facebook.

Shortly after his release from prison, Anwar had scheduled audiences with several rulers. His meeting with Sultan Ibrahim was reported to have taken place at Istana Pelangi, Johor Bahru on May 22.