‘Coronation to revive traditions’

The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, checking on preparations for his coronation ceremony at Istana Besar in Johor Baru. The ceremony will be held on March 23. Pix by KHAIRULL AZRY BIDIN.

KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming coronation of Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is expected to revive royal traditions, which will remind Malaysians of the sovereign rule of Malay rulers, said head of the Johor Council of the Royal Court Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli.

“We’ve waited 55 years for this auspicious ceremony to take place.

“The ceremony is at the sultan’s request, and because the previous sultan of Johor (Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail Al-Khalidi) did not want the coronation, we have been anticipating it since the last time it was held in 1960.”

He said preparations for the ceremony, to be held on March 23, began some two years ago, when Sultan Ibrahim voiced his wish to have a coronation.

“We have a main committee headed by the menteri besar, 23 sub-committees to handle other matters and one secretariat to coordinate the ceremony itself.

“The elaborate preparations in the palace, the ceremony and even the crown require the involvement of many people.”

Rahim said smaller, related events to celebrate the occasion would be held, adding that it was on the wishes of the sultan, who had a soft spot for the people.

“The first event is Istiadat Meletak Kerja on Monday.

“It is a ceremony to mark the beginning of the celebration, when the state ceremonial flag is raised.

“Following that, we will have tahlil and prayers on March 20.

“Istiadat Siram Tabal will be held the next day.

“It is a symbolic event to cleanse the sultan’s self and soul,” he said, adding that each event was guided by Islamic principles and practices.

Other events include Majlis Santapan Diraja, which is exclusively for the sultan’s 78 guests; Istiadat Kurniaan Darjah, which will see the presentation of the new Darjah Sultan Ibrahim Yang Amat Disanjungi; a state banquet; and the departure of the sultan to the state’s 10 districts to meet the people.

The ceremony is not the installation of a new ruler, as some would assume, but would serve as a reminder of the legacy of Sultan Abu Bakar Daing Ibrahim, who was the first to introduce the wearing of the crown, which is unique to the state.

“Sultan Abu Bakar, being the visionary leader that he was, introduced the idea of wearing the crown to strengthen his title of sultan in 1886.

“The idea was also an innovation to modernise Johor.

“As he was the first to bring the practice into the country, other states, like Selangor, Kelantan and Terengganu, then followed suit.

“Even so, Johor is still the only state to have a coronation,” said Rahim, who has worked with two previous Johor sultans: Sultan Iskandar and Sultan Ismail Sultan Ibrahim Al-Masyhur.

The crown, which will be presented to the sultan by the state mufti, is made of silver and gold, and is adorned with 37 rubies and 58 emeralds, with its base decked in 2,745 precious stones.

The ceremony will see Sultan Ibrahim conferring the new title of Permaisuri Johor on his consort, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah.

“This is an exciting time for the people of Johor and all Malaysians.

“Not only do we get to witness the ceremony, it will also reinvigorate the recognition and esteem we have for our rulers,” said Rahim, adding that the ceremony was a melting pot of Malay, British and Islamic influences.

The coronation will take place at Bilik Singgahsana (Throne Room) in Istana Besar, and will be telecast live on RTM and TV3.

-By AINA NASA - News Straits Times, 11 March 2015

Head of the Johor Council of the Royal Court Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli (left) and Media Prima Bhd  chairman Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar during the former’s visit to Balai Berita on Monday. Pic by Rosela Ismail.