Coronation of Johor Sultan on March 23

The coronation of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar as the state's fifth Sultan in the history of Modern Johor will be held at Istana Besar Johor on March 23.

Head of the Johor Royal Council, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said Sultan Ibrahim would confer the new title of Permaisuri Johor on his consort, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, at the coronation ceremony.

He said March 23, this year had also been declared a public holiday in Johor in conjunction with the coronation.

"To further enliven the auspicious occasion, at least nine different but related events will be held beginning March 16 and the celebration is expected to go on for three months," he told reporters at the office of the Johor Royal Council, here, Monday.

Also present was Council secretary, Datuk Abdul Latiff Yusof.

Abdul Rahim said the coronation ceremony would be special as the last time it was held was 55 years ago.

He said the coronation ceremony combining Islamic, Malay and Western culture and rituals would be exclusive and based on previous coronation rituals to preserve and enrich the Johor royal traditions.

The last coronation ceremony was held on Feb 10, 1960 when Almarhum Sultan Ismail Sultan Ibrahim ascended the Johor throne.

In conjunction with the coronation, commemorative stamps in denominations of 60 sen, 80 sen and RM1 and first day covers will be on sale at the post offices from March 23.

Commemorative gold medallions will also be availabe from Bank Negara from that date.

Abdul Rahim said over 30,000 people were expected to watch the live telecast of the coronation ceremony via selected television stations and on giant screens at Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baharu.