Remains of the Sultan of Johor's mother to arrive tonight

JOHOR BAHRU: The remains of the Sultan of Johor's mother, Enche' Besar Hajah Khalsom Abdullah are expected to arrive at the Senai International Airport (LTAS), tonight.
Johor Council of the Royal Court president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said the remains were being flown back by the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar's private jet and were expected to arrive at the LTAS at 10.30pm.
"The royal funeral will be held tomorrow. The Sultan of Johor has consented that the remains will be laid to rest at the Bukit Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum, in the same row of the grave of Tunku Laksamana Johor Almarhum Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim," he said here today.
Abdul Rahim said all the preparations for the royal funeral had been made and the remains would be received on arrival by Sultan Ibrahim, members of the royal family, Johor Council of the Royal Court members, Johor Menteri Besar and state executive council members as well as heads of departments.
He said the remains would then be carried aloft from the aircraft by Royal Johor Military Force personnel before being placed in a hearse of the Johor Islamic Religious Department and escorted to Istana Besar.
He said at Istana Besar, the remains would be received on arrival by members of the Johor royal family and placed in a special room for Quran recitations.
According to him, the remains would be transferred to a coffin draped in the royal flag at Istana Besar.
"Tomorrow, the remains will be carried aloft from the special room by the Royal Johor Military Force personnel to the three-tiered 'peterana' at the Singgahsana Room, Istana Besar," he said.
The public, as well as members of the royal family who wish to pay their last respects, can do so from 8 am until 10am.
The entry point for members of the public who are walking to the palace will be the arch, while those with vehicles can use the Gate B and park their vehicles at the marching field of the Royal Johor Military Force.

Those wishing to pay their last respects at Istana Besar are also prohibited to take photographs.
Abdul Rahim said the remains would be taken to the Bukit Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum at 10.15am on a 'pedati' and pulled by 40 Royal Johor Military Force personnel and headed by Johor state secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani as the Datuk Penghulu Biracana for the royal funeral before the Zohor prayers.
He said so far, the Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had confirmed their attendance to the royal funeral.
Abdul Rahim said Sultan Ibrahim and the Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah would pour scented water on the grave, and they would be followed by Sultan Sallehuddin, Tengku Abdullah, the Tengku Puan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail and members of the royal family.

The tahlil prayer ceremony will be held at the Pasir Pelangi Mosque, here on the first, second, third, seventh, 21st, 40th and 100th day of the passing of Hajah Khalsom.

"I would like to remind that, all forms of entertainment are not allowed to be held in the state tomorrow night as a show of respect for the passing of Hajah Khalsom. State and district flags will be flown at half-mast starting tomorrow upon completion of the royal funeral," said Abdul Rahim.
Hajah Khalsom, 83, died last Friday at 7.55pm at the King Edward VII Hospital.
Hajah Khalsom was born on Dec 2, 1935, and blessed with three princesses and a prince, namely Tunku Kamariah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Tunku Besar Zabedah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Sultan Ibrahim and Tunku Azizah. — Bernama