Tuesday November 23, 2010
Build bridge to Singapore
JOHOR Baru: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has called for a new bridge to replace the causeway to Singapore. Speaking at the investiture ceremony to mark his 52nd birthday here yesterday, he said the bridge would be convenient for travellers and encourage tourists from the neighbouring country. “I appreciate that the Government is caring and constantly striving to tackle problems facing the people.
Royal ceremony: (Left) Sultan Ibrahim attending the investiture ceremony to mark his 52nd birthday in Istana Besar in Johor Baru Monday. With him are his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah and Tunku Ismail. — Bernama
“However, there is one wish of the people of Johor that has yet to be fulfilled, and that is for a bridge to replace the causeway,” said Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Besar. Present were his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, Tunku Temenggong Idris Iskandar and president of the Johor Royal Council Tunku Osman Tunku Temenggong Ahmad.
Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and his wife Datin Prof Jamilah Ariffin, state executive councillors and assemblymen and senior government officials. The Sultan urged the people to live in a spirit of give and take and moderation, and to respect one another without regard to race in line with the Johor government’s motto “Muafakat itu berkat (Consensus is a blessing)”. “In Johor, the people, regardless of whether they are Malays, Indians or Chinese, are all citizens of my state.
The Ruler conferring the “Yang Amat Mulia Enche Besar” title on his mother Khalsom Abdullah. — Bernama
“The rights and interests of everyone will be protected. So do not rake up the past as it might cause dissatisfaction and arouse suspicion,” he said. He also announced the establishment of Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim, which would give scholarships to poor students and medical and other assistance to senior citizens and the disabled.
He said the foundation would be funded by the royal allowance that he received. The Sultan conferred the titles “Duli Yang Maha Mulia” on Raja Zarith Sofiah and “Yang Amat Mulia Enche Besar” on his mother Khalsom Abdullah. He also conferred on his mother the “Darjah Kerabat Pangkat Per_tama”, the highest state award, and “Pangkat Pertama Datuk Seri Setia Sultan Ismail Johor” on Tunku Ismail. – Bernama
