Grand entrance: Sultan Ibrahim arriving in a blue Rolls-Royce at the 67th National Day parade in Putrajaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Spectators watching the National Day parade here had a big surprise when His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, drove himself to Dataran Putrajaya.
Sultan Ibrahim was seen driving a light blue Rolls-Royce, with Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, in the passenger seat.
The King and his entourage was escorted by members of the Johor Military Force – of which His Majesty is the commander – along with personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police.
His Majesty was greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Cabinet ministers and dignitaries.
The crowd cheered and clapped when Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah walked to the main stage.
When the parade ended, the King once again drove His Majesty’s car to leave the venue.
His Majesty rolled down the car windows to greet spectators, who waved back.
Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail were seen thanking and greeting performers of the National Day parade before leaving.
Handri Saznayne Abdul Halim, 23, said it was very impressive that the King was behind the wheel.
“I thought it was very cool that His Majesty drove (to the parade) instead of using a driver,” he said, adding he knew the King has a penchant for cars.
University student Mohd Hamza, 21, said he was surprised that the King drove to the parade.
“It is my first time seeing the King in person. I also love cars,” he said.
According to a statement by the organising committee, about 100,000 people attended the National Day parade yesterday.
