PRINCESS HAS PRE-WEDDING JITTERS
Tunku Tun Aminah says she’ll be away from parents for first time after wedding
JOHOR princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim said she was swept off her feet by Dutchman Dennis Muhammad Abdullah because of his “gentle and kind personality”.
Tunku Tun Aminah, 31, said Dennis was a person who understood her feelings and her position as a member of the Johor royal family.
“He is supportive and understands me well,” said the princess in a special interview with the Johor Royal Press Office recently.
She said she was excited about the wedding preparations, but could hardly hide her pre-wedding jitters.
“We will move into our own home and start life anew as husband and wife. This will be the first time I will be living alone, away from my parents and family.”
Dennis, 28, who talked while his eyes were locked on Tunku Tun Aminah, said she was the most special person in his life.
He said they shared the same values when it came to honouring family.
“Tunku Tun Aminah is very special to me. She is sweet, but is also sensible and has very strong family values. She is very close to her family, the same way I am with my family in Holland.”
Dennis, who embraced Islam before he met Tunku Tun Aminah, said he was honoured to be accepted by the Johor royal family.
He said despite being married to a royal, he would continue working because his father had always stressed on the importance of working hard and earning a living.
He holds a senior position in a major property development company in Johor.
The duo’s betrothal will take place in pomp and gaiety tomorrow morning at Istana Bukit Serene here, followed by a solemnisation ceremony.
In the evening, the newlyweds will have their “bersanding” or sitting-in-state ceremony at the Throne Room of the Istana Besar Johor Baru.
Both ceremonies will be steeped in Johor royal tradition and customs, with the bride donning a traditional baju kurung teluk belanga and the groom in a baju melayu teluk belanga.
The baju kurung teluk belanga, was introduced in the late 19th century during the reign of the late Sultan Sir Abu Bakar. It has no collar and the neckline is stitched in a style known as tulang belut or eel’s spine.
As its name implies, this official Johor clothing originated from Singapore, which was previously the capital of Johor.
Some 1,200 guests will attend the simple but elegant wedding ceremony, which will be relayed live for the public to watch from giant digital screens at Dataran Bandaraya and the Johor Baru City Council headquarters building.