By JASSMINE SHADIQE - 22 March 2015
JOHOR BARU: With less than twenty hours, to the most awaited coronation ceremony of the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, the ruler admits that he is nervous and has butterflies in his stomach.
In an exclusive interview with Media Prima Group earlier today at Istana Bukit Serene, Sultan Ibrahim said he may not have a good sleep tonight, as there are so many things playing in his mind.
“I am a perfectionist…I want everything to be perfect and precise. I think that is what is in my mind. My worries are if I had missed out anything,” Sultan Ibrahim said.
As for the big day tomorrow, the royal family will be awake in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for the ceremony.
“I think Raja Zarith will be up the earliest. Maybe by 4am, Raja Zarith will start her preparations, followed by my six children. By 8am all of us will be suited up with our respective uniforms and be ready for a family picture.
“We will be leaving from here (Istana Bukit Serene) for Istana Besar,” said the fifth Sultan of Modern Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim admits that even at the eleventh hour, there are still things that he needs to double check.
“I personally went to the kitchen to check on the food preparation. The dishes to be served during the banquet dinner must be prefect. The meat must be tender, there must be sufficient seasoning….everything must be precise and perfect. There is no room for mistakes,” he said.
On protocol for the coronation, Sultan Ibrahim said the protocol community must ensure the timing of their departure and arrival must be on the dot.
“I will be leaving Istana Bukit Serene at 9.20am tomorrow and should arrive, Insyallah, at Istana Besar by 9.30am sharp,” the ruler added.
After being crowned with the Mahkota Kerajaan and diadem respectively, Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah will take a tour around the state’s capital city on a motorcade.
His children, including Tunku Mahkota Johor’s consort will also be part of the motorcade.
Sultan Ibrahim decreed to his subjects “Take this opportunity. Come and witness the motorcade. This may be a chance of a lifetime. This is Johor’s culture and tradition. We do not know when the next coronation ceremony will be held. Let us all be together for this historical day (March 23).
Sultan Ibrahim also decreed for his subjects to say a prayer to ensure that the coronation ceremony will go as planned, and receives Allah’s blessings.
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar double checking the Johor Crown Jewels at Bukit Serene today. The ruler and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah will be wearing the Crown Jewels tomorrowduring the Coronation Ceremony. (on the left in the Crown and Diadem that the ruler and his consort will be crowned with. Pix by Zain Ahmed
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar double checking the Johor Crown Jewels at Bukit Serene today. The ruler and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah will be wearing the Crown Jewels tomorrowduring the Coronation Ceremony. (on the left in the Crown and Diadem that the ruler and his consort will be crowned with. Pix by Zain Ahmed
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar double checking the Johor Crown Jewels at Bukit Serene today. The ruler and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah will be wearing the Crown Jewels tomorrowduring the Coronation Ceremony. (on the left in the Crown and Diadem that the ruler and his consort will be crowned with. Pix by Zain Ahmed
-sumber, NST, 22 March 2015
