Royal arch a gift to the people
THE new landmarks in the capital city are gifts from the Johor ruler to his people.
The sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in an exclusive interview with Streets said the arch that resembles four elephant tusks surmounted by a crown, which is a mammoth replica of the crown worn by Sultan Abu Bakar Daing Ibrahim (1833-1895), during his coronation, is among the new landmarks in Johor Baru meant for the rakyat.
Sultan Ibrahim said the large crown replica, majestically supported by tusks, is fitted with over 2,000 crystal stones, and when it is ready and lighted, will have the rakyat "in for a surprise".
Sultan Ibrahim did not want to reveal details so as not to spoil the surprise for his subjects.
He also told Streets that the city lacks landmarks that represent the state.
"In London, there's Buckingham Palace, where thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see it daily, and in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, there is the Istana Negara," said Sultan Ibrahim.
Bukit Serene, upon completion in September this year, he added, will also be accessible to the people.
There will be parking bays for tourist buses, and the people can take the opportunity to be photographed there.
"This is my gift to the people," he said.
Sultan Ibrahim also said that while developing the state and building the infrastructure, the people's welfare is always kept as a top priority.
"Another paramount issue is the environment. I have instructed all district officers to make sure that rubbish are disposed of properly, and the people must also play their part to keep their surrounding clean.
"Keeping Johor clean is everyone's responsibility, not just the government's," said Sultan Ibrahim when met at Istana Pasir Pelangi, adding that his subjects' welfare, the multiracial unity Johoreans, the environment and cleanliness, are issues close to his heart.
Sultan Ibrahim added that he had decreed that no hills or mountains in the state be flattened or cut to make way for development without his consent.
"There is a natural eco-system. If hills and mountains are flattened... where would natural water flow? There will be many negative side effects," he said.
Sultan Ibrahim revealed that an environment-friendly Forest City will be built on an island near the Second Link Expressway.
To not let the cat out of the bag, Sultan Ibrahim did not reveal the island's name but Streets learnt from sources that it will built near Sungai Pendas in Pulau Merambong.
The Johor Sultan said he was not against development but the environment, marine ecology and the wildlife must not suffer in the name of development.
He said developments should not only be focused in Johor Baru but also in the 10 districts of the state. They must also receive a fair share of development, he said.
"Places like Muar and Mersing and others that offer natural beauty in the state must not be overdeveloped to the point of affecting their beauty," he said.
The ruler has several more exciting plans in store for his subjects, but he said, they will be disclosed in due time.
The large crown replica is a beautiful sight to behold when lighted.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
THE new landmarks in the capital city are gifts from the Johor ruler to his people.
The sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in an exclusive interview with Streets said the arch that resembles four elephant tusks surmounted by a crown, which is a mammoth replica of the crown worn by Sultan Abu Bakar Daing Ibrahim (1833-1895), during his coronation, is among the new landmarks in Johor Baru meant for the rakyat.
Sultan Ibrahim said the large crown replica, majestically supported by tusks, is fitted with over 2,000 crystal stones, and when it is ready and lighted, will have the rakyat "in for a surprise".
Sultan Ibrahim did not want to reveal details so as not to spoil the surprise for his subjects.
He also told Streets that the city lacks landmarks that represent the state.
"In London, there's Buckingham Palace, where thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see it daily, and in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, there is the Istana Negara," said Sultan Ibrahim.
Bukit Serene, upon completion in September this year, he added, will also be accessible to the people.
There will be parking bays for tourist buses, and the people can take the opportunity to be photographed there.
"This is my gift to the people," he said.
Sultan Ibrahim also said that while developing the state and building the infrastructure, the people's welfare is always kept as a top priority.
"Another paramount issue is the environment. I have instructed all district officers to make sure that rubbish are disposed of properly, and the people must also play their part to keep their surrounding clean.
"Keeping Johor clean is everyone's responsibility, not just the government's," said Sultan Ibrahim when met at Istana Pasir Pelangi, adding that his subjects' welfare, the multiracial unity Johoreans, the environment and cleanliness, are issues close to his heart.
Sultan Ibrahim added that he had decreed that no hills or mountains in the state be flattened or cut to make way for development without his consent.
"There is a natural eco-system. If hills and mountains are flattened... where would natural water flow? There will be many negative side effects," he said.
Sultan Ibrahim revealed that an environment-friendly Forest City will be built on an island near the Second Link Expressway.
To not let the cat out of the bag, Sultan Ibrahim did not reveal the island's name but Streets learnt from sources that it will built near Sungai Pendas in Pulau Merambong.
The Johor Sultan said he was not against development but the environment, marine ecology and the wildlife must not suffer in the name of development.
He said developments should not only be focused in Johor Baru but also in the 10 districts of the state. They must also receive a fair share of development, he said.
"Places like Muar and Mersing and others that offer natural beauty in the state must not be overdeveloped to the point of affecting their beauty," he said.
The ruler has several more exciting plans in store for his subjects, but he said, they will be disclosed in due time.
The large crown replica is a beautiful sight to behold when lighted.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
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