Sultan Ibrahim and Permaisuri Johor to make three-day official visit to Singapore from July 20

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah will make a three-day official visit to Singapore starting Wednesday (July 20).

The visit is on the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Lee had extended the invitation through Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan last December when he had an audience with Sultan Ibrahim here.

Lee renewed the invitation when he visited Johor in May to receive receive Johor’s highest state award, The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johor (First Class) “Dato’ Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor” or S.P.M.J. from Sultan Ibrahim, which carries the title Datuk.

Sultan Ibrahim also conferred The Most Exalted Order of Sultan Ibrahim Johor (First Class) “Dato’ Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor” or S.M.I.J. on Lee’s wife Ho Ching, which carries the title Datin Paduka.

In a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page on Tuesday (July 19), the official visit is significant as it marks the reaffirmation of the longstanding and warm relations between Singapore and Johor.

Accompanying Their Majesties would be Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim and his wife Che’ Puan Besar Khaleeda Bustamam.

The royal delegation would be welcomed by Lee and Ho Ching as well as other Singapore Cabinet ministers upon arrival at the Istana, the official office of the President and Prime Minister of Singapore.

Their Majesties will also make a courtesy call on President Halimah Yacob.

One of the highlights of the visit will be the conferment of an Honorary “Doctor of Laws” degree on Sultan Ibrahim by President Halimah, who is the Chancellor of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The award is in recognition of Sultan Ibrahim’s steadfast and fervent efforts at strengthening Johor-Singapore cross-border relations.

His Majesty’s late father, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail was also similarly honoured by the NUS in 2007.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens will also present a special orchid species named after the royal couple - Ibrahim Zarith - in honour of the visit.

The orchid is Singapore’s national flower. This particular species, Dendrobium tangerinum, is a robust and free-flowering hybrid.

The official itinerary for the visit includes a tour of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link construction site in Woodlands where His Majesty will be briefed on the progress of works on the project.

Sultan Ibrahim will also visit the Sembawang Air Base, home of the helicopter squadrons of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, followed with an exploration of historical maps and documents at the Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) at NUS, which was named after Singapore’s First President, Yusof Ishak.

Raja Zarith is scheduled for several programmes, including a tour of the Delta Senior School run by the Association for Persons with Special Needs (ASPN) in Choa Chu Kang and the Asian Civilisations Museum, which showcases the artistic heritage of Asia.