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Royal tour to promote wellbeing

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar inside the customised coach which which he will be driving to meet his rakyat during Kembara Mahkota Johor. Pic by Zain Ahmed
RULER’S INITIATIVE: The annual Kembara Mahkota Johor promises plenty of healthy surprises

JOHOR BAHRU: THE 17th edition of the Kembara Mahkota Johor (KMJ) will see new elements in the much-awaited event which will include lots of sport activities and free ice cream.

KMJ is the brain-child of Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar when he was the crown prince.
Since 2001, when it was first launched, KMJ bridged the gap between the ruler and his people.

Sultan Ibrahim will be travelling in a left-hand drive, custom-made Prevost Marathon coach during KMJ, from June 21 to 24.

The state-of-the-art coach is fitted with a bed, a lounge, water-closets and shower facilities, as well as a kitchen, and entertainment unit.

Sultan Ibrahim said he purchased three coaches, so that he and his family could spend their nights in the villages, to be closer to his subjects during KMJ, and participate in the night activities.

Sultan Ibrahim said in past KMJs, he was unable to join the people especially at night, which included cooking gotong-royong style.

This time around, he will be spending more time with the villagers, especially the old folk whom he fondly refers as Wak.

Wak is an endearment used on older men, which means uncle.

He said he loved listening to their stories and experiences.

The rulers said after KMJ, he will be driving the coach, on Thursdays, to a village in one of the 10 districts, chosen randomly, to perform Friday prayers with his subjects and spend a night at the village.

In an exclusive interview with Streets, Sultan Ibrahim said he looked forward to KMJ, which is special to him because during these trips, he gets to meet his subjects without much protocol.

"I get to listen to what they are feeling, their needs and suggestions on how things could be better.

"If I invite them to visit me, it would be a hassle for them. They may also be uncomfortable. Not wanting to trouble them, I choose to visit them on their own turf.

"In olden days, my ancestors went horseback, or rode on elephants to be with the people. I want to emulate them. I want to make sure that my subjects are fine and their welfare taken care off.

"Travelling like this, I can ensure that everything is in order, and facilities are there for them."

Sultan Ibrahim, who recently lost almost 20kg after embarking on a strict exercise regime and watching his diet, said KMJ's theme this year is "Health".

"There is no wealth without health. So, I want to promote a healthy lifestyle.

"During this KMJ, there will be lots of sport activities, and medical check-ups. There will also be delicious but healthy food," Sultan Ibrahim said, adding but that there is something special in store for the children.

A custom-made Flintstones ice-cream truck will be serving a special blend of ice cream called Johor Soft Ice, at every stop Sultan Ibrahim makes on his KMJ tour.

"The ice cream truck, with its cheery jingles, caught my attention when I was in London, England, recently. I saw children faces light up with happiness as they skipped towards the truck to get their ice creams. Looking at the happiness it brought, I decided to get one and bring the joy here to the children of Johor, but the twist here is the ice-creams are free and healthy," he said, when met at Istana Pasir Pelangi here on Thursday.

Johor residents are invited to name the coach. Suggestions can be made at Kesultanan Johor facebook page at www.facebook.com/Kesultanan.Johor

Cuti Rehat Jumaat, Sabtu Sektor Swasta Perlu Dikaji Semula - Sultan Johor


JOHOR BARU: Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar menggesa kerajaan negeri itu untuk mengkaji kesesuaian sektor swasta untuk meminda hari rehat kepada hari Jumaat dan Sabtu, selaras dengan sektor awam.

Baginda bertitah, langkah untuk menukar hari cuti rehat hujung minggu baru-baru ini, menerima aduan terutamanya daripada ibu bapa yang bekerja di sektor swasta.

"Ibu bapa yang bekerja di sektor swasta mengadu bahawa mereka tidak mempunyai masa secukupnya bersama anak-anak kerana mereka terpaksa bekerja pada hari Jumaat.

"Oleh itu, saya menyeru kerajaan negeri untuk mengkaji semula kesesuaian menyelaraskan hari rehat kepada hari Jumaat dan Sabtu untuk semua sektor," katanya ketika merasmikan sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri di sini, Khamis.

Kerajaan Johor menukar cuti rehat hujung minggu kepada hari Jumaat dan Sabtu berkuatkuasa 1 Januari tahun ini sempena  sambutan ulang tahun keputeraan baginda yang ke-55 pada November tahun lalu.


Sultan Perak Sultan Azlan Shah mangkat

MANGKAT: Sultan Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, 86, mangkat
pada pukul 1.30 tengah hari tadi


Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, 86, mangkat pada pukul 1.30 tengah hari ini, dan jenazah baginda akan dimakamkan di Makam Diraja Kuala Kangsar selepas solat Asar esok, umum Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Baginda yang telah memerintah Perak selama tiga dekad sejak ditabalkan pada 3 Feb 1984, akan disemayamkan di Balairong Seri Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar untuk penghormatan terakhir.

Penghormatan terakhir  bagi pembesar negeri dan orang kenamaan adalah pada pukul 9 pagi esok manakala oleh orang ramai bermula 11 pagi hingga 2 petang, diikuti sultan-sultan, raja-raja dan pembesar negara asing mulai pukul 2  petang hingga 3 petang.

Zambry berkata bendera negeri Perak akan dikibar separuh tiang sepanjang tempoh perkabungan selama 100 hari mulai hari ini, sementara bendera Malaysia dikibar separuh tiang selama tujuh hari.

"Sepanjang tempoh perkabungan tujuh hari tersebut, semua bentuk hiburan, keramaian dan perayaan adalah dibatalkan," katanya dalam pengumuman secara langsung melalui RTM hari ini.

Zambry turut mengisytiharkan esok cuti umum bagi negeri Perak sebagai tanda penghormatan sempena pemakaman Almarhum.

"Seluruh rakyat jelata negeri Perak telah kehilangan Sultan yang dikasihi dan berjiwa rakyat.

"Saya Dr Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, Menteri Besar Perak Darul Ridzuan mewakili seluruh rakyat jelata negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan merafak sembah takziah dan mendoakan semoga roh Almarhum Tuanku dicucuri rahmat dan ditempatkan oleh Allah di kalangan para Anbiya, Syuhada dan Solihin," katanya dengan sebak.

Baginda meninggalkan Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun, seorang putera, Pemangku Raja Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah dan tiga puteri Raja Datuk Seri Azureen, Raja Datuk Seri Aleena dan Raja Datuk Seri Yong Sofia.

Anakanda ketiga baginda Raja Datuk Seri Ashman Shah mangkat pada 30 Mac 2012.

Pengumuman Kemangkatan DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah. Pengumuman oleh Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.


KMJ2014: Sultan Johor pandu bas bertemu rakyat

Oleh Isma Ismail

Johor Bahru: Selepas bermotosikal dan menaiki kereta api, Kembara Mahkota Johor (KMJ) kali ke-17 pada tahun ini menampilkan Sultan Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar berangkat mencemar duli bertemu rakyat dengan menggunakan bas khas.

KMJ selama empat hari dijangka bermula dari 21 hingga 24 Jun depan, Sultan Ibrahim akan memandu sendiri dengan bas yang dibeli dari Amerika Syarikat, jenama Prevost Marathon Coach. 

Lebih unik, baginda akan memandu bas keluaran syarikat dari Kanada yang menggunakan kaedah pemanduan sebelah kiri. 

“Saya akan pandu sendiri, tidak ada masalah mengenainya kerana saya ada lesen memandu,” titahnya ketika temubual eksklusif bersama The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad di Istana Pasir Pelangi di sini, semalam.

Menurutnya, bas ditempah khas itu lengkap dengan peralatan dan kemudahan termasuk tempat tidur dan baginda tidak perlu bermalam di rumah rakyat seperti KMJ sebelum ini.

Katanya, baginda tidak mempunyai masalah bermalam di rumah rakyat dikunjunginya, namun keadaan itu menyebabkan mereka menjadi serba salah. 

“Untuk tidak menyusahkan sesiapa, saya gunakan bas pada tahun ini dan akan tidur di dalamnya di tempat yang akan disinggahi nanti. 

“Saya akui pastinya bas ini akan menjadi tumpuan rakyat di tempat kami singgah nanti. Saya juga berpeluang berbual dan minum bersama rakyat, walaupun bermalam dalam bas,” titahnya. 


Johor Sultan to drive coach in KMJ expedition

JOHOR BARU: The 17th edition of Kembara Mahkota Johor (KMJ) will see the sultan of Johor driving a left-hand-drive custom-made Prevost Marathon coach instead of his signature motorcycle.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who has made headlines for being the first royalty to drive a passenger train, is also licensed to drive coaches.

In an interview with the New Straits Times at Istana Pasir Pelangi yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim said when he stayed at his subjects' homes in previous KMJ, the hosts would go out of their way to make his stay comfortable.

With the coach, he would no longer trouble his subjects.

The air-conditioned coach is fitted with a bed, a kitchen, a cosy lounge and shower facilities.
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar behind the wheel of the custom-made Prevost Marathon coach in Johor Baru yesterday. Pic by Zain Ahmed
He will be accompanied by his consort, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris, while two other coaches are for Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Idris Abdul Majid Abu Bakar and the sultan's other children -- Tunku Idris, Tunku Abdul Jalil, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tunku Abu Bakar and Tunku Tun Aminah.


The sultan is calling on his subjects to suggest names for the coaches, which can be done via the Kesultanan Johor Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Kesultanan.Johor

"The KMJ theme this year is health, thus sporting events, sports clinics and activities and medical check-ups will be held," said Sultan Ibrahim.

A custom-made ice truck with jingles to attract children will be among the vehicles to be featured in the expedition.

Being a fan of the Flintstones, the sultan had Flintstones character designs on the truck, which will be serving special blend of ice-cream called Johor soft ice during pit stops in this year's KMJ edition.