Previous coronation of Almarhum Sultan Ismail on 10th February 1960
WITH POMP AND GRANDEUR: The ceremony will begin with the arrival of guests and dignitaries dressed in ceremonial attire
JOHOR BARU: THE exclusive coronation ceremony, steeped in royal traditions amidst pomp and splendour, will start with the arrival of guests and dignitaries dressed in ceremonial attire complete with decorations.
The Yang DiPertuan Agong, the Malay Rulers and the Sultan of Brunei resplendent in their customary State ceremonial costumes, the Governors, the Prime Minister, and members of the Johor royal family, will arrive in their order of precedence. They will be greeted by high-ranking officials and escorted to the Bilik Persemayaman (Antechamber) of the Istana Besar.
At 9am, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, will depart Istana Bukit Serene in a motorcade. The Dato' Penghulu Biracana (Grand Marshal), the Dato' Penghulu Istiadat (Grand Master of Ceremonies), two heralds bearing the Kris of the Family Order and the Kris of the Order of the Crown, and umbrella bearers will follow immediately behind.
Schoolchildren and the public will line the route, waving the miniature Johor flags amidst exclaiming "Daulat Tuanku" (Hail the King).
The Tunku Mahkota and the Menteri Besar will welcome Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah on arrival at the Istana Besar. The Sultan, resplendent and majestic in a blue uniform, a black velvet songkok adorned with an aigrette of diamond pendants, and decorated with the insignia of the Johor Orders of Chivalry will take the royal salute as the band of the Johor Military Forces (JMF) strikes up Lagu Bangsa Johor.
The Sultan will then inspect the guard of honour mounted by officers and men of the JMF. The Consort will appear regal and demure in her traditional Malay baju kurung of black velvet and woven silk sarong. A diamond tiara will complement her dress.
Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah and their entourage will then be preceded by the Grand Marshal and the Grand Master of Ceremonies and flanked by insignia bearers through the Bilik Singgahsana (Throne Room). They will enter a special chamber to don the velvet and silk blue coronation robes intricately embroidered with the royal monogram "SI" in Jawi script and the motif of gambier and pepper in gold.
After an announcement to begin the ceremony, the Dato' Penghulu Istiadat will invite the Yang DiPertuan Agong, the Malay Rulers and the Sultan of Brunei, and other dignitaries to their special seats at the Bilik Singgahsana in order of precedence. The seats placed on a raised platform will be arranged facing inwards along the carpeted walkway to the thrones. Seats for other guests will face the thrones, with seats for royalty on the left.
The Dato' Penghulu Biracana and Dato' Penghulu Istiadat will lead Their Royal Highnesses Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah to the thrones. Two pageboys hold lightly the extreme of the royal robe of the Sultan, and two pagegirls the royal robe of the consort.
The Lagu Bangsa Johor is played before Their Royal Highnesses take their seats. The Tunku Mahkota will take his seat on the right of the Sultan and the Tunku Temenggong on the left of the Consort.
The Dato' Penghulu Istiadat will advance, pay homage and crave permission for the Menteri Besar to give an introductory address. The Menteri Besar will end his address with Daulat Tuanku (Hail the King) three times repeated by all present.
The Menteri Besar will pay homage and crave assent to the coronation.
Upon receiving royal assent, the Menteri Besar begs the Sultan to give the Royal Pledge to the rakyat.
The Royal Pledge will state:
"In the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful, We give our pledge and promise deeply that with the help and guidance of Allah, We shall rule the subjects of the State of Johor and her territories in accordance with the laws and observe their customs that are not contrary to the laws of State and shall discharge them with fairness and justice. We further pledge and promise with piety that We shall protect and defend the religion of the State and preserve the honour and dignity of the Ruler and Government of Johor. We pray for Allah's blessing."
The Menteri Besar will then present the Sword of State to Sultan Ibrahim who receives it and dedicates himself. The Dato' Penghulu Istiadat will then announce the crowning of the Sultan and his consort. The crown will be borne by the Dato' Bentara Kanan into the throne room, while the diadem will be borne by the Dato' Bentara Kiri.
The Mufti, flanked by his deputy and the Kadi Besar will take up their positions in front of the throne. The Kadi Besar will recite passages from the Quran. As soon as the Mufti receives the crown from the Dato' Bentara Kanan, the Kadi Besar will recite the Selawat (invocation of God's name for the Prophet Muhammad). The Mufti will hold the crown above the Sultan's head, recites prayers, and "In the name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful" gently places the crown on the Sultan's head. The crowning of the Consort will follow a similar ritual.
Immediately the Lagu Bangsa Johor will be played and a 21-gun salute fired. The Mufti will recite prayers after the State Anthem.
The Dato' Penghulu Istadat will then announce the Istiadat Mengadap Takzim (Act of Paying Homage). The Tunku Mahkota, Tunku Temenggong, Tunku Bendahara, Tunku Tun Aminah, Tunku Laksamana, Tunku Panglima, Tunku Putera, the President of the Royal Court, and the Menteri Besar advance in that order and pay homage.
The Bentara Kanan will then announce the departure of their Royal couple. The Lagu Bangsa Johor will be played.
Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah will leave the Throne room preceded by the Dato' Penghulu Biracana and the Dato' Penghulu Istiadat and flanked by the insignia bearers, while the Tunku Mahkota will remain behind.
Helicopters with the Sovereign Standard, the Consort's flag, the State flag, the flags of the Heir, the Temenggong, Bendahara, Laksamana, Panglima, Putera and the flag of the royal family will stage a fly-past. The Sultan and his entourage, comprising counsellors of the Royal Court and insignia bearers, step into their vehicles for a tour of the city in a royal procession.
The Tunku Mahkota will host the Yang Dipertuan Agong and other royals to a reception at the Banquet Hall. Other guests will be invited to a reception at the marquees.
Dato' Abdul Rahim Ramli is secretary of the Council of the Royal Court.
This is the 12th article in a series of 13 in the run-up to Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's coronation.
