JOHOR SULTAN ENDS TOUR

His Majesty and family wrap up 808km royal expedition in Kulai

THE 20th edition of Kembara Mahkota Johor 2017 (KMJ 2017) drew to a close yesterday as the sultan of Johor and his family completed their 808km annual royal tour.

The arrival of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at Hutan Bandar Putra here at 4.05pm yesterday marked the closure of KMJ 2017.

Accompanying the ruler was his daughter, Tunku Tun Aminah, and son-in-law Dennis Muhammad Abdullah, as well as sons, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar.

However, the sultan’s consort, Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, and his other sons, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail and Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris were absent on the final day as they were representing Sultan Ibrahim at the funeral of Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah in Alor Star.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was also absent at the closing ceremony as he was paying his last respects to the late Sultan Abdul Halim at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Star.

Sultan Ibrahim arrived at the ceremony dressed in a beige safari jacket custom-tailored by his favourite tailor in Muar.

He arrived at Hutan Bandar Putra in a green Morgan ThreeWheeler, custom-made for the ride. Thousands of spectators cheered him.

As in previous KMJs, which featured unique vehicles that the royal family used, 11 Morgan Three-Wheelers imported from the United Kingdom were the preferred choice for this year’s ride.

The car was first designed in 1909 by the Morgan Motor Company Ltd in the UK.

The royal expedition has become one of the state’s most iconic events where Johoreans from all walks of life get to meet the royal family.

As in previous KMJs, this year, Sultan Ibrahim and his entourage travelled to all 10 districts in the state in a journey totalling 808km, which started from Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru.

Sultan Ibrahim was reported as saying that this KMJs would be his last before he passed the baton to his eldest son Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail.

HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIM PIC BY People cheering as Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar arrives in his green Morgan Three-Wheeler in Kulai yesterday.