POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: The grandeur of Sultan Ibrahim’s coronation will leave an indelible mark in the minds of his subjects and preserved in the annals of history for posterity
JOHOR BAHRU: A ROUTE for the motorcade and royal tour of the city has been planned to let the public catch a glimpse of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah in ceremonial attire and with the crown and diadem.
They will be in an open Mercedes Benz 600 Landaulet, followed by counsellors of the royal court in convertibles, and insignia bearers in Land Rovers.
A state banquet will be held at the banquet hall of the Istana Besar as part of the coronation celebration.
Sultan Abu Bakar, famous for his hospitality, held three nights of feasting for his coronation.
A banquet was held during the coronation of Sultan Ibrahim but there were no other celebrations as the state was in mourning.
Apart from the state banquet for Sultan Ismail’s coronation, a buffet dinner was held on the palace grounds the next evening for other guests.
The state capital was decorated with arches, each resembling four elephant tusks surmounted by a crown, to mark the coronation of Sultan Ismail, while Segamat had erected a clock tower.
While the distinguished guests at Sultan Ibrahim’s coronation banquet are having dinner, the people of Johor Baru will be treated to an extravaganza of fun and merrymaking including cultural shows, motorised floats procession, musical concerts, and fireworks display.
Sultan Ibrahim takes a personal interest in ensuring that his coronation ceremony will be exclusive and a resounding success. He has decreed the rituals and traditions which were practiced at the previous coronations of Johor Sultans be emulated if not improved.
He makes personal inspections and is meticulous about the details of the renovation of the Istana Besar and the refurbishment of the Throne Room. He commissioned an exclusively designed dinner service consisting of fine bone china, sterling silver cutlery and embroidered silk linens for the occasion.
A purpose-built round dining table will be used for the state banquet to allow the royal guests an unobscured view of each other. The 38 guests seated at the table will include the Yang DiPertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Malay rulers and their consorts, the Sultan of Brunei and his consort, the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, and the Prime Minister and his wife.
Forty other guests, including immediate members of the royal family, Johor Menteri Besar, the president of the Royal Court and other distinguished guests, will be seated at separate tables in the banquet hall. An internationally renowned chef will be invited to present an exclusive menu chosen by the Sultan.
The Yang DiPertuan Agong and other royal guests will arrive in order of precedence. They will be greeted by the Tunku Mahkota and state dignitaries and escorted to the Bilik Persemayaman.
The band of the Johor Military Forces (JMF) will play the Lagu Bangsa Johor to mark the arrival of Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah. The royal couple will meet their guests at the Bilik Persemayaman before leading them to the banquet hall.
The state mufti will advance and recite a prayer before dinner is served. The JMF band will be in attendance throughout the dinner.
Their Royal Highnesses, as gracious hosts, will depart after their guests.
An official dinner for state dignitaries, including elected representatives, heads of departments and community leaders will be held at a later date and a different venue due to space constraint at the Istana Besar banquet hall.
An investiture ceremony will be held the next day at the Throne Room. Other than the existing Orders, Sultan Ibrahim may confer his own Order of Chivalry and medals of honour to mark his coronation.
The 128th anniversary celebration of the Johor Military Forces that was formed by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1886 was the first armed forces in Malaya and will be part of the coronation programme.
Sultan Ibrahim, as Commandant of the JMF, will take the royal salute during a parade that will be held at the newly-constructed royal parade ground at the Istana Besar. Various programmes, including sports activities and exhibitions, are being planned for the week-long celebration to enable the public to acquaint themselves with the JMF.
Commemorative postage stamps, first-day covers, medallions and other souvenirs are being made for the coronation. The business community will be invited to participate in the occasion by producing special and exclusive items appropriately advertised with approved logo and wordings.
The state government is sparing no effort to ensure the success of the celebrations. The Istana Bukit Serene, constructed in 1935 as the official residence of the Sultan, and the Istana Besar built in 1866 where the coronation will be held, are being completely renovated and refurbished to a standard fit for a king.
Furniture and furnishings are made by the finest European craftsmen adding an air of magnificence and opulence as intended by Abu Bakar.
Specialised air conditioning equipment and the latest security surveillance system will be installed. The rambling palace gardens and other landscaped areas are being rehabilitated.
The government has engaged the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), in collaboration with National Geographic Channel, to record the celebrations from the initial preparatory meetings to events graced by His Royal Highness and the royal family highlighting their closeness with the people, and turn it into a historical document and for posterity. The coronation celebration will be people-oriented. Programmes have been arranged for public participation, viewing and enjoyment.
Plans are being made for live broadcasts. Giant television screens will be placed at strategic locations throughout Johor Baru city for the public to view the once-in-a-lifetime event. The various components of Bangsa Johor will present cultural performances and participate in concerts, floats processions, and sports activities for all age groups.
Giant fireworks display will highlight the final evenings of the celebrations. The less fortunate will not be forgotten as plans are under way for royal visits to charitable institutions to bring cheer to them.
As a final part of their coronation, Their Royal Highnesses will tour the 10 districts to be closer to the people.
A multitude of programmes and receptions will be held for the people to mix freely with their beloved Ruler. Investiture ceremonies will be held for the Ruler to bestow medals of honour to deserving subjects. Each district is planning a monument to commemorate the coronation.
The districts of Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Kluang, Kulai Jaya, Pontian, and Ledang will hoist for the first time their special flags. The districts of Muar, Batu Pahat and Segamat will fly the flags of the state commissioners designed by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1871.
It will be a privilege for the people of Johor to witness and participate in the coronation celebration of their beloved Ruler, a historical moment to be cherished during one’s lifetime. It is also an experience of the revival of traditions that contributed to the grandeur of Johor.
Dato’ Abdul Rahim Ramli is secretary of the Council of the Royal Court.
JOHOR BAHRU: A ROUTE for the motorcade and royal tour of the city has been planned to let the public catch a glimpse of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah in ceremonial attire and with the crown and diadem.
They will be in an open Mercedes Benz 600 Landaulet, followed by counsellors of the royal court in convertibles, and insignia bearers in Land Rovers.
A state banquet will be held at the banquet hall of the Istana Besar as part of the coronation celebration.
A banquet was held during the coronation of Sultan Ibrahim but there were no other celebrations as the state was in mourning.
Apart from the state banquet for Sultan Ismail’s coronation, a buffet dinner was held on the palace grounds the next evening for other guests.
The state capital was decorated with arches, each resembling four elephant tusks surmounted by a crown, to mark the coronation of Sultan Ismail, while Segamat had erected a clock tower.
While the distinguished guests at Sultan Ibrahim’s coronation banquet are having dinner, the people of Johor Baru will be treated to an extravaganza of fun and merrymaking including cultural shows, motorised floats procession, musical concerts, and fireworks display.
Sultan Ibrahim takes a personal interest in ensuring that his coronation ceremony will be exclusive and a resounding success. He has decreed the rituals and traditions which were practiced at the previous coronations of Johor Sultans be emulated if not improved.
He makes personal inspections and is meticulous about the details of the renovation of the Istana Besar and the refurbishment of the Throne Room. He commissioned an exclusively designed dinner service consisting of fine bone china, sterling silver cutlery and embroidered silk linens for the occasion.
A purpose-built round dining table will be used for the state banquet to allow the royal guests an unobscured view of each other. The 38 guests seated at the table will include the Yang DiPertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Malay rulers and their consorts, the Sultan of Brunei and his consort, the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, and the Prime Minister and his wife.
Forty other guests, including immediate members of the royal family, Johor Menteri Besar, the president of the Royal Court and other distinguished guests, will be seated at separate tables in the banquet hall. An internationally renowned chef will be invited to present an exclusive menu chosen by the Sultan.
The Yang DiPertuan Agong and other royal guests will arrive in order of precedence. They will be greeted by the Tunku Mahkota and state dignitaries and escorted to the Bilik Persemayaman.
The band of the Johor Military Forces (JMF) will play the Lagu Bangsa Johor to mark the arrival of Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah. The royal couple will meet their guests at the Bilik Persemayaman before leading them to the banquet hall.
The state mufti will advance and recite a prayer before dinner is served. The JMF band will be in attendance throughout the dinner.
Their Royal Highnesses, as gracious hosts, will depart after their guests.
An official dinner for state dignitaries, including elected representatives, heads of departments and community leaders will be held at a later date and a different venue due to space constraint at the Istana Besar banquet hall.
An investiture ceremony will be held the next day at the Throne Room. Other than the existing Orders, Sultan Ibrahim may confer his own Order of Chivalry and medals of honour to mark his coronation.
The 128th anniversary celebration of the Johor Military Forces that was formed by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1886 was the first armed forces in Malaya and will be part of the coronation programme.
Sultan Ibrahim, as Commandant of the JMF, will take the royal salute during a parade that will be held at the newly-constructed royal parade ground at the Istana Besar. Various programmes, including sports activities and exhibitions, are being planned for the week-long celebration to enable the public to acquaint themselves with the JMF.
Commemorative postage stamps, first-day covers, medallions and other souvenirs are being made for the coronation. The business community will be invited to participate in the occasion by producing special and exclusive items appropriately advertised with approved logo and wordings.
The state government is sparing no effort to ensure the success of the celebrations. The Istana Bukit Serene, constructed in 1935 as the official residence of the Sultan, and the Istana Besar built in 1866 where the coronation will be held, are being completely renovated and refurbished to a standard fit for a king.
Furniture and furnishings are made by the finest European craftsmen adding an air of magnificence and opulence as intended by Abu Bakar.
Specialised air conditioning equipment and the latest security surveillance system will be installed. The rambling palace gardens and other landscaped areas are being rehabilitated.
The government has engaged the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), in collaboration with National Geographic Channel, to record the celebrations from the initial preparatory meetings to events graced by His Royal Highness and the royal family highlighting their closeness with the people, and turn it into a historical document and for posterity. The coronation celebration will be people-oriented. Programmes have been arranged for public participation, viewing and enjoyment.
Plans are being made for live broadcasts. Giant television screens will be placed at strategic locations throughout Johor Baru city for the public to view the once-in-a-lifetime event. The various components of Bangsa Johor will present cultural performances and participate in concerts, floats processions, and sports activities for all age groups.
Giant fireworks display will highlight the final evenings of the celebrations. The less fortunate will not be forgotten as plans are under way for royal visits to charitable institutions to bring cheer to them.
As a final part of their coronation, Their Royal Highnesses will tour the 10 districts to be closer to the people.
A multitude of programmes and receptions will be held for the people to mix freely with their beloved Ruler. Investiture ceremonies will be held for the Ruler to bestow medals of honour to deserving subjects. Each district is planning a monument to commemorate the coronation.
The districts of Johor Baru, Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Kluang, Kulai Jaya, Pontian, and Ledang will hoist for the first time their special flags. The districts of Muar, Batu Pahat and Segamat will fly the flags of the state commissioners designed by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1871.
It will be a privilege for the people of Johor to witness and participate in the coronation celebration of their beloved Ruler, a historical moment to be cherished during one’s lifetime. It is also an experience of the revival of traditions that contributed to the grandeur of Johor.
Dato’ Abdul Rahim Ramli is secretary of the Council of the Royal Court.
This is the final article in a series of 13 articles in the run-up to Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s coronation birthday.
