Johor Sultan regrets not being able to shake hands with rakyat due to burns on right hand

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (pic) has expressed his regrets that he will not be able to shake the hands of his subjects during the upcoming Thaipusam celebrations here.

In a post uploaded on his official Facebook page, His Majesty, who enjoys cooking, explained that he had suffered severe burns on his right hand while preparing a meal for his sons at the Istana here on Saturday (Jan 28).

"My hand was quite badly burnt while I was cooking. This means that I will not be able to shake hands with a lot of people.

And it is rude to greet people with my left hand. I hope everyone will understand this.

"But I will still attend the Thaipusam festival on 31st January because I do not wish to disappoint my people," he was quoted as saying by Royal Press Office (RPO).

Sultan Ibrahim is expected to grace his presence at the state-level Thaipusam celebration, which will be held at the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Tampoi here on Wednesday (Jan 31).

Some 10,000 devotees are expected to throng the 88-year-old temple to join in the celebrations.