JOHOR BARU: There was a sombre air across Johor yesterday.
People from all walks of life started to gather in front of the palace as early as 6am to pay their last respects at 9am.
Once inside, they formed a single line to the main banquet hall where the remains of the late ruler was laid in state in a coffin draped with the white royal standard, which bears a dark blue crescent and star.
The Johor crown and sword were placed on top of the coffin according to royal protocol.
Some people openly wept as they walked past the coffin, while others paused for a moment of reflection and prayer.
| The late Almutawakkil Al-Allah Sultan Iskandar ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail’s coffin being taken out for the burial procession to the Bukit Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum in Johor Baru. Present for the burial were Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Sultan of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor, Yang Dipertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. |
Tunku Bendahara Johor Tunku Abdul Majid and Raja Muda Johor Tunku Ismail stood by the coffin to greet the more than 5,000 people who paid their last respects before the arrival of dignitaries at 11am.
Among the first dignitaries to arrive was Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and his family.
The newly proclaimed Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and his family as well as Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman were on hand to receive the dignitaries.
The arrival of the Perlis prince was followed by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
Next to arrive were Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the republic’s former prime minister Goh Chok Tong.
They were followed by Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Malacca Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Khalil Yaakob, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Also arriving about the same time were Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Regent of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah and Yang Dipertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah arrived shortly before the departure of the procession that was to take the late ruler’s remains to the royal mausoleum.
The final prayers, led by state religious adviser Datuk Noh Gadot, was carried out at Balai Singgahsana of the palace at 1pm.
The coffin bearing the remains of the late sultan was then carried to the main entrance of the palace by pallbearers made up of members of the royal household, led by Tunku Bendahara Johor and Raja Muda Johor.
| The newly proclaimed Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ismail wiping away his tears at the proclamation ceremony. |
The menteri besar, who was waiting at the top of the stairs, made the official proclamation on the appointment of the new Sultan of Johor and led state officials in crying Daulat Tuanku three times.
The state anthem was then sung by all present, accompanied by the band of the Johor Military Force.
A gun salute echoed as the procession to the royal mausoleum began with JMF and 21 Grup Gerak Khas personnel pulling the royal carriage on which the coffin of the late sultan was placed.
The remains of the late sultan was laid to rest at 4pm after the talqin was recited by the state religious adviser.
note: Johor is a state of Malaysia
Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100124075906/Article
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