Sultan of Johor passes away

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January 23rd, 2010 admin

The Sultan of Johor passed away on 22nd Jan 2010 last evening. He died at the Puteri Specialist Hospital at 7.15pm.

Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail was born on April 8, 1932 in Johor Bahru. He became the Sultan of Johor on May 11, 1981. As part of the Malaysia monarchy rotation system, he was also the eighth Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysian King), from April 26, 1984 until April 25, 1989, during which he visited Singapore in 1988. He visited Singapore again in 2007 to receive an honorary Doctorate awarded by the National University of Singapore (NUS) due to his contribution towards fostering closer ties between Singapore and Johor. Ironically, he was also an advocate of demolishing the causeway between Singapore and Johor as well as opposing the 3rd causeway link between Singapore and Malaysia.

Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail 1932 - 2010

Today, as public and dignitaries come to pay their last respects to the Sultan (Palace opposite Danga Bay), expect slight delay in crossing the causeway to Johor Bahru. Top ministers from Singapore are expected to arrive in Johor Bahru not only as a mark of respect, but also as a show of friendship which was extended to Singapore by the late Johor Sultan. Traffic police from both Singapore and Johor Bahru are expected to be escorting these VVIPs.

National and state flags will also be lowered to half mast for a period of seven days. The Menteri Besar of Johor Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had also announced a seven-day period of mourning for the people of Johor and 40 days for the royal family.

Johoreans – PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

During the mourning period: You are actually required to wear a 3 inch black strip/band on the left arm. There is no specific rule or law stateing you need to comply with this but you could be haggled by the police if you do not do so since this is a lack of respect to the late Sultan. This applies to both Malays and non-Malays and should especially be adhered to if you enter public and government buildings. There were also reports that some shopowners had already been fined RM$2000 for not wearing black arm band.

Afternote: The Johor Royal Family had clarified that it is not compulsory to wear black arm band. Do it voluntarily out of love for the Sultan and even if you do not wear the black band, you will not be penalised.

Singaporeans - PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

During the mourning period: most entertainment hunts would be closed. This means that at least for today (23nd Jan 2010) and tomorrow (24th Jan 2010), expect most Cinemas, Karaoke, Bowling/gaming Centers and PUBs to be closed.

The Sultan was associated with the infamous incident “Gomez Incident“, which triggered the passage of a bill allowing rulers who violated Malaysia laws to be prosecuted. In addition, the Sedition Act of 1948 was also amended to allow public criticism of the rulers.

One of the largest project in Malaysia – Iskandar Malaysia was named after Sultan Iskandar. The new Johor Bahru CIQ: Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail was also named after him. In all, Sultan Iskandar was well loved by Johoreans and this was exemplified by the masses which turned out to attend his funeral. Many people also lined the streets to pay their last respects to the late Sultan.

Tunku Ibrahim Ismail will perform the duties of the Sultan of Johor as required under Section 9(1)(b) and 9(2) of the Johor State Constitution 1895. He was swore in yesterday as the acting ruler of Johor.

Entry Filed under: News and Information

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38 Comments Add your own

1. sidebe | January 23rd, 2010 at 4:45 PM

No wonder so many MIW when crossing the causeway. But i didn’t notice them wearing the black bands.
2. Aik Soon | January 23rd, 2010 at 7:17 PM

This is prob my worst trip to JB. I was at Holiday Plaza and not a single dvd shop open. The same in Pelangi.
3. Aik Soon | January 23rd, 2010 at 7:20 PM

So my advice to u if u want to go jb is to go next week. JB is now a ghost town.
4. Said | January 23rd, 2010 at 8:46 PM

I cannot believe all shops close. Go Giant at Pelangi and not a single car at the car park. Wish they can post some announcement on the internet. Search then come to tis website i know, waste my trip today.
5. donn | January 23rd, 2010 at 9:46 PM

yes today all major shopping ctr close ct square , plaza pelangi n leisure mall. even grocery shop get call from the govt ppl to close for today or else fines up to 2000 (from evening paper sourse ).also gambling shop include.
johorean have to wear black armpiece males on the left for 7day.most businessman here know the power of the istana so they follow the rules . next year on 22 jan is the day all almahrhum day to remember the sultan death. no entertainment outlet dare to open on these day.
6. cristiano | January 23rd, 2010 at 11:28 PM

Jusco is open… does this mean disrespect to the late sultan???
7. Arezou | January 24th, 2010 at 10:52 AM

yes Jusco opens these days but there is no music and all stuff and cashiers wear a white Malay hat for sorrow of Sultan
8. cristiano | January 24th, 2010 at 12:24 PM

is city square open today?? kinda lazy to go find out for myself…
9. Said | January 24th, 2010 at 12:44 PM

City Square open today. Holiday Plaza and Pelangi open too.
10. donn | January 24th, 2010 at 4:26 PM

all shop have open. eysterday the mbjb n polis come out to warn shop to close down at noon. today they checkon armband .heard they warn ppl at custom u could be fine up to 300 if u dont wear.for shop that stay open is 3000 .
11. Cal | January 24th, 2010 at 8:21 PM

Under which law are they issuing summons for not wearing the armband? They can just arbitrarily issue one. Even when the Agong passed away there were no such restrictions and Agong is the King of the country.
12. donn | January 24th, 2010 at 9:43 PM

today i heard some shop in johor jaya -honda city shop was fine 3k for not closing shop yesterday . they give one warning then only they summon.
as for arm band they road block n fine 70 for kid n 300 adult for not wearing .heard ppl in holiday plaza got caught also byt he rules also .
wat law u say , even the gangster wear it so better obey.
13. rock | January 24th, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Under Polis law?? anyway, saturday am there, even me as a singaporean oso been ask to wear black arm bands, OMG….

respect is come from the bottom of the heart, not by FINE or LAW.. do not know what the Gov and Polis want??
14. Tian Cai | January 24th, 2010 at 10:39 PM

If u are in JB long enuff, u will not be asking this kind of question.
15. wanie | January 25th, 2010 at 2:16 AM

hei…u all singaporean, if u not happy with malaysia, please dont came here…i really hate u…shits
16. Felicia | January 25th, 2010 at 7:41 AM

It is a sad period when the Sultan passes away.

To all Johoreans, my condolence and I am sure the new Sultan will continue to lead and love the people.
17. Tokyo | January 25th, 2010 at 9:22 AM

Yup, mourning period for johorean so let’s try to be sensitive here. Nothing wrong to wear black band, even for Singaporean.
18. Orang JB | January 25th, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Hey, wanie. Without the Singaporeans, JB will be as vibrant as Kota Bahru. Don’t write like an uneducated ‘katak bawah tempurung’.
19. Mesh | January 25th, 2010 at 11:44 AM

I agree with Orang JB, Wanie is so rude!! I believe singoporean hav helped malaysian in so many way, providing jobs with good salary, boost our economy via buying houses, shopping etc, etc. we should appreciate them and learn lots of things from them, specially how to keep our country clean, recycle waste( Fantastic technology and ideas)
20. cristiano | January 25th, 2010 at 11:47 AM

there are some people who are there at the bridge between jbsentral and city sq selling armbands for RM2… What a way to earn quick bucks…
21. wanie | January 25th, 2010 at 11:53 AM

OOO…yeah…Orang JB…so, dont tell me that all this while u JBs people only depending on this singaporeans…embarrassly…although ‘katak bawah tempurung’ but my nationalist spirit is very sensitive to the people like u and those commenttors which are not alert and respect toward our rules and laws as well as our ‘ADAT DAN BUDAYA MALAYSIA’…please appreciate
22. shauna | January 25th, 2010 at 12:27 PM

Hi,is there anyone here can tell mi is city square open as normal today?
Thank you very much
23. admin | January 25th, 2010 at 12:40 PM

Hi Shauna, City Sq open as usual today.
24. admin | January 25th, 2010 at 12:49 PM

Hi Wanie, as a Singaporean, I do respect Malaysian rules and custom. And I am sure most of the Singaporean readers are, even though some of us had varying experience on some enforcement officers making their own law.

Before this topic becomes sensitive, let us give due respect to citizens from each nation. JB depends on Singaporeans to boost its economy. Singapore depends on JB too for the workforce that contributes to our economic growth. Nothing embarassing about either.
25. Malaysian | January 25th, 2010 at 2:52 PM

Can’t believe this is happening. Loyalty and respect can be enforced meh ? Earned one mah !
26. donn | January 25th, 2010 at 8:37 PM

i m quite sure businessman is counting the loss of sat taking by now.actually sporean n malaysian of other state need not wear the arm band .they can see your ic or passport n let u go .only local born need to wear the armband.for me i stay away from shopping ctr this week .thats where they r checking most.
27. yazidgri | January 25th, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Let me share with you my experience today. I was pushing a goods trolley from City Sq to Merlin across the walkway when I reach to open the glass door my goods toppled off. I pick the items up and many passerby just stare. However, a youth came up and helped me stack back my good and even open the door for me. When I thank him very much he reply that he is Singaporean and helping is what he should do. Now tell me how many fellow Malaysian you see do that?

I think that Singaporean and Malaysian depend on each other. Without Singaporean, we would have a lot to lose. I am proud to be Malaysian but what above poster Wanie use “ADAT DAN BUDAYA MALAYSIA” is just what politician from Malaysia use. Singapore and Malaysia politics should not affect us the common people. If Malaysian treat Singaporean with contempt, they will return it with arrogance. That is what I learn from many years dealing and living in Singapore. WE are neighbours and friends, and should respect each side. We have a lot to learn from Singapore. To all Singaporean, I say a very warm welcome to JB!
28. donn | January 25th, 2010 at 10:50 PM

take noted .latest news from thestar taken from google news . royal johor family spokeman secretary have say they r not forcing ppl to wear arm band . they can wear it out of love n voluntary basis n whoever try to fine n arrest u for not wearing u shal report this to johor police .the state only announce business to close on sat n no further action for those who do business as usual.
look like those joker who try to get bribe for this is dissapointed for now.
29. Tokyo | January 26th, 2010 at 10:37 AM

Kudos to the Royal family for this announcements! Now
“commoners” like us are more assured!

Donn, can u help post the news article? I cannot find it in google.
30. onebigboss | January 26th, 2010 at 11:07 AM

Admin – comments removed due to posting of sensitive comments.
31. justice no corruption | January 26th, 2010 at 3:18 PM

arrest these “enforcers” lah.. There is no state directive for this mourning method! It is not by compulsion or force. Ppl are and hv been spotted wearing this armbands and songkoks but that is not the problem. Anyone can impersonate. Anyone can gain illprofit. Pls do not be afraid to detain and reprimand (under suspicion of corruption) any ppl impersonating palace, johor military force or religious bodies. Why do such things when the royal Johor family is in mourning? Wht discgrze to them!! This is so not right. what has been going on here is very alarming. There are also public “beating” or fines from unidentified personnel. All conducting inspections without any valid ids – some oso manned ad-hoc roadblocks.. WHat is this May 1969 again? all this is plain extortion. MACC pls investigate the dalang behind this quick profit scam.. Even army men or private armies must respect the rule of law n constitution. Slapping with intent to humiliate is a serious offense.
32. donn | January 26th, 2010 at 9:16 PM

by this morning most of the citizen is not wearing anything .well the news clear the rumour. look like our sultan is in touch with the ppl and he know they r some who try to gain from this .
so from this week onward weekend car can drive in on sat whole day , look like traffic jam will be early on sat .
33. hahas | January 27th, 2010 at 1:41 AM

so tml is city square open ?
34. Anwar | January 27th, 2010 at 8:45 AM

Read trail of comments. City sq open as usual.
35. Anwar | January 27th, 2010 at 8:47 AM

My sincere condolence to royal family of Johor. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult period.
36. hahas | January 27th, 2010 at 12:44 PM

how about holiday plaza ?
37. onebigboss | January 29th, 2010 at 7:55 AM

malaysia actually is a great & nice country, but just becos of some ’scum’ using they ’special power’ make ppl difficult and disappointed..
38. toolong | January 29th, 2010 at 8:59 AM

Aiyah! All shops open already lar!

And hope those who abuse their power arresting those who didn’t wear black band be caught. May Johor continue continue to prosper and grow under the new Sultan.

Separately, the Romanian Consulate who escaped Singapore is even worse!! Knock down people and dare to make fake police report and conveniently say want to return back Romania for “Medical” treatment. Shame on you Dr Silviu Ionescu!!! If you still have conscience and if you still have some remorse – come back to Singapore.