Free bus rides for public to witness coronation ceremony

The Johor government will provide free bus rides to the public to witness the Coronation Ceremony of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, here on Monday.

Chairman of the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Committee,Ismail Mohamed, said the buses which will bear the logo 'Kemahkotaan Sultan Johor' would help reduce traffic congestion.

"A total of 1,000 buses will be provided in each district while 60 shuttle buses are also provided in the city. The buses in the city will begin services at 7 am in 10 locations which have been determined," he told reporters, Friday.

Ismail, who is also the Chairman of the Car Procession Committee for the ceremony, said the routes were Taman Desa Mutiara-Taman Setia Tropika-Dataran Bandaraya (Handal Indah Bus); Johor Jaya Terminal-The Store Pandan-Pandan wholesale market-Shell Kampung Dato Sulaiman Menteri-Wisma Maria (Maju Bus) and Larkin Stadium-Wisma Maria (Maju Bus).

He said the other routes were Larkin Terminal-Taman Bukit Saujana-Wisma Maria (Maju Bus); Taman Universiti bus terminal-Taman Sri Puteri-Petron Station/Taman Ungku Tun Aminah-Giant Tampoi-IRDA office (Handal Indah Bus) and Plaza Angsana-Bandar Baru Uda/Skudai Kiri-IRDA office(Handal Indah Bus).

He said buses would also be provided at the GP Sentral site (Gelang Patah)-Taman Nusa Perintis-Iskandar Public Housing-Lima Kedai-Taman Mutiara Rini-IRDA office (Handal Indah Bus); Pasir Gudang terminal-Taman Cendana Hall in Pasir Gudang-Masai Terminal-Plentong-Wisma Maria (Maju Bus) and Pasir Gudang Stadium-Iskandar Public Housing-Stulang Flats/The Zone-Wisma Maria (Maju Bus).

Ismail also said an estimated 40,000 people are expected to line a 7.95-kilometer stretch of road to witness a royal motorcade from Istana Besar to Istana Bukit Serene.

He said the motorcade would begin at 10.30 am and would pass through Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Jalan Gereja, Jalan Trus, Jalan Ismail Sultan, Jalan Persiaran Abu Bakar Sultan and finally arrive at Istana Bukit Serene.

"There will be 13 points along the route, where representatives of the districts in Johor Baharu would perform or conduct activities for the public while they wait for the motorcade," he said.

Ismail added that there would also be a Johor Mini Agro programme starting Saturday until Monday at the Dataran Bandaraya, held in conjunction with the coronation ceremony.

He said there would be several activities, exhibitions, as well as sale of agro-based products at the agro programme which would be from 10 am until 10 pm.