Sunshine State no more

Malaysians in Florida bracing for Hurricane Irma and wet, wet weekend.

JOHOR BARU: Johoreans are all set for the 20th edition of the Kembara Mahkota Johor.

Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, renowned for his mass collection of vehicles, will reach out to 10 districts in his annual commitment to meet the people.

The Johor Ruler bought 10 Morgan 3-Wheeler vehicles for the estimated 808km journey over four days.

Thousands of Johoreans thronged Dataran Bandaraya here to catch a glimpse of the British car, first designed in 1909 by Morgan Motor Company Ltd, during the flagging off ceremony here yesterday.

Sultan Ibrahim previously used a Harley Davidson motorcycle, yacht, train, trucks, a 4WD vehicle and bus for his Kembara expedition which is one of the state’s most iconic events.

The Ruler arrived at the square with Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah at about 8am with members of the Johor royal family who included Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, his wife Che Puan Khaleeda Bustamam and daughter Tunku Khalsom Aminah Sofiah.

Also present were newly-married Johor Princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and husband Dennis Muhammad Abdullah.

Sultan Ibrahim personally drove one of the vehicles, accompanied by Her Majesty Raja Zarith.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin noted that the Kembara programme had helped forge close ties between the Johor palace and the people.

“The Kembara programme has successfully broken the feudal wall and modernised the royal institution.

“It is a testament that there are no boundaries between the Ruler and his rakyat. It has also given an opportunity to Bangsa Johor to show their affection to their one and only Sultan,” he said.

The royal expedition covered Pasir Gudang, Kota Tinggi and Mersing yesterday. It will head to Kluang today.

It will traverse Batu Pahat, Segamat, Tangkak and Muar tomorrow before wrapping up on Tuesday at Hutan Bandar in Kulai.