18,000 attend the Sultan of Johor’s Open House
18,000 visitors throng Johor sultan’s open house at Istana Besar
Guests, including foreign tourists thrilled to join lively celebration
JOHOR BAHRU: About 18,000 people of various races and religions took the opportunity to celebrate the second day of Syawal by attending the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar’s Open House at Istana Besar Johor, today.
Not only local people, but visitors from abroad wait as early as 7 am outside the palace, before being allowed to enter at exactly 9 am.
Sultan Ibrahim, who was wearing a blue shirt, arrived at Istana Besar at exactly 10 am.
His Majesty agreed to spend more than an hour meeting the people accompanied by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor State Government Secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani and Johor Police Chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat.
Also leaving was Queen Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Late Sultan Idris Shah. Leaving together, his son, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj.
A businessman, Mohd Shafie Abdullah, 49, said he and nine family members left Kluang as early as 6am to arrive early at the palace.
“This is my first time here, I have never felt like this, I am happy to be able to experience the excitement of attending the Sultan of Johor’s Open House. Everything is good,” he told reporters.
Housewife, Azalila A. Samad, 49, said she and her family never miss an opportunity to attend the Sultan of Johor’s Open House whenever it is held.
“See for yourself, the atmosphere is lively with various races present with their families.
“Even though I’m from Melaka, my family members are all from Johor. We really love the Sultan of Johor and must come if the Sultan arranges anything,” she said, who came with her husband and five children.
Geologist Low Wan Ching, 35, said this was the first time he had attended the Sultan of Johor’s Open House.
Low from Kuala Lumpur and vacationing at his uncle’s house in the city felt very lucky to experience the excitement and be able to dine at the event.
The last time Sultan Ibrahim organized an open house was in 2019 at Istana Pasir Pelangi, here.
