Published on: Sunday, January 24, 2010 |
Johor: People from all walks of life and race Saturday thronged the Istana Besar here to pay their last respects to the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, who died on Friday.
They came to Istana Besar as early as 9am and were allowed into the palace's main hall, where the remains of the late Sultan of Johor were lying in state, about 50 minutes later.
The newly-proclaimed Sultan of Johor, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, his wife Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, members of the royal household, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and State leaders were also inside the hall.
Members of the public, in their mourning attire, filed past the coffin of Sultan Iskandar, which was draped in the Sultan of Johor flag, while reciting prayers.
The late Sultan Iskandar's crown and sword were placed on the coffin while his medals and decorations were displayed around it.
The time allowed for the public to pay their last respects to the Ruler was between 10am and 11am while for VVIPs, the time was from 11am and 12.30pm.
Among the rulers present were Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sultan of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharaffudin Idris Shah and Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah and Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Khalil Yaakob also paid their last respects to the late Sultan Iskandar.
The event was telecast live over Radio Television Malaysia.
Prayers were held at 1.05pm led by Johor Islamic Religious Council advisor Datuk Nooh Gadut.
Sultan Iskandar's body was then taken on a 3km procession from the Istana Besar to the Bukit Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum for the burial, with thousands of people lining up both sides of the road.
Sultan Iskandar was later laid to rest next to his father's grave at the mausoleum. - Bernama
