JOHOR BARU: The 100th anniversary of the Causeway is a meaningful celebration for all Malaysians and Singaporeans, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
"Today, we witnessed the 100th anniversary celebration of the Johor Causeway, which is very significant for Johoreans, Malaysians and Singaporeans.
"We hope that this celebration could further strengthen the kinship and neighbourly relationship between both countries," the Johor Mentri Besar said.
Onn Hafiz said this to the press at the Tokoh Johor museum here on Friday (June 28), after witnessing the momentous celebration earlier.
ALSO READ: Simple, yet significant, ceremony marks Causeway's centenary
The Mentri Besar also thanked Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim for gracing the ceremony at the "zero mark" of the Causeway.
Onn Hafiz said that ceremony went on smoothly, and took only half an hour to avoid congestion.
"We tried to minimise congestion by keeping as many roads open as possible. The ceremony also only took 30 minutes.
"However, I would like to apologise if it caused any inconveniences to the public.
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"This is not something that we get to experience anytime soon. It is a ceremony that only comes once in a hundred years," he said.
Earlier, the Johor Regent, Onn Hafiz, and Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, witnessed the release of 100 doves to symbolise the century old journey of the Causeway.
Delegates from Johor, which include the Mentri Besar and state executive councillors, are expected to have Friday prayers at Telok Blangah, Singapore.
They are then expected to visit the Woodlands Civic Centre for a tour and to celebrate the anniversary.
