BIGGER, BETTER ROYAL TOUR
Royal entourage to feature Morgan Three-Wheeler sports cars
THIS year’s Kembara Mahkota Johor, which is the 20th edition of the annual royal tour, will be bigger and better. Mayor A. Rahim Nin said Johor Baru would be among the 10 districts along the 800km route of the tour.
The flagging-off ceremony will be held at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru on Saturday.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will flag off more than 200 participants accompanying the royal entourage, led by Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
The royal entourage will comprise 10 motorcades of Morgan Three-Wheeler sports cars, 30 big bike riders, as well as 22 vehicles from state government departments and agencies.
They will traverse the state over four days.
Rahim said preparations for the flagging-off ceremony were under way with big tents being set up and Johor flags being hoisted.
“There will be a special launch gimmick featuring the Morgan Three-Wheelers, which had been chosen by Sultan Ibrahim for Kembara Mahkota Johor 2017,” he said.
Apart from that, Rahim said, the l aunch, slated to start at 9am, would feature activities after the royal send-off.
Fun-filled activities, such as archery and a “Teh Tarik pull” challenge for visitors, are expected to attract some 5,000 people.
The Kembara Mahkota Johor is held annually to forge closer ties between the people and the Johor ruler in tandem with the saying raja dan rakyat berpisah tiada (the ruler and his subjects are inseparable).
The highlight of the tour is the vehicles used by Sultan Ibrahim and his family members when they stop at checkpoints.
This year, the British-made Morgan Three-Wheeler will be the star of the tour.
Last year, Johoreans were given a visual treat with gigantic Mack trucks that were custom-made by its manufacturer in Australia.
The year before that, Sultan Ibrahim made heads turn when his family rode in custom-made buses.
In previous years, Sultan Ibrahim has travelled by train, boats, motorcycles and other vehicles during the tour.
In one year, he drove an ice cream truck at a stopover, much to the delight of children.