JOHOR BARU: Townspeople to politicians lined up along a 23km route to welcome Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar home after His Majesty was named the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Students, ordinary folk and civil servants, among others, waved the state flag at several sections between the Senai International Airport (LTAS) and Istana Bukit Serene here upon Sultan Ibrahim’s return yesterday.
Shouts of “Daulat Tuanku” were heard while some people held up banners with the words “Menjunjung Tahniah Tuanku” (Congratulations Tuanku).
Welcoming our new King: Sultan Ibrahim wound down his window to wave to the masses while driving his own vehicle; — Bernama
His Majesty had arrived from Kuala Lumpur after attending the 263rd (Special) Meeting of the Council of Rulers at Istana Negara.
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The Ruler, who drove his own vehicle, wound down the window to wave to the people.
Sultan Ibrahim was earlier received by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim and younger princes on arrival at the airport’s royal hangar.
From the airport, His Majesty drove to Istana Bukit Serene where Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah congratulated him.
A closer look at the Sultan acknowledging the crowd’s warmest greetings while on his way from the Senai International Airport to Istana Bukit Serene, Johor Baru. — BernamaPermata Baiduri Malaysia president Faridah Hamzah, 42, said Sultan Ibrahim is well-loved by Johoreans as a caring Ruler, and His Majesty is usually the first to help the people when there are calamities, including the time when severe floods hit the state. She added that some of the people came as early as 6.30am yesterday.
“We are excited and proud as citizens of Johor because even when we are in other states, we always hear good things about Tuanku – as a person who is firm, principled and brave in making decisions,” she told Bernama when met outside LTAS.
Johor Malay Association of Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council president Zaini Atan said he is confident that Sultan Ibrahim will carry out the trust and responsibility entrusted to His Majesty well.
“As Johoreans, we are proud and this is our way of expressing it to His Majesty. Tuanku has cared for the people even from the days when he was Tunku Mahkota of Johor,” he added.
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At the special meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Friday, Sultan Ibrahim, 65, was unanimously elected to become the 17th king of Malaysia.
Tuanku’s term will come into effect on Jan 31 next year.
The Sultan will succeed Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Sultan of Pahang, whose five-year reign as king will end on Jan 30.
It has been 39 years since Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was proclaimed as Malaysia’s eighth King in 1984.
