Hundreds pay last respects to Johor’s Tunku Jalil

Senior citizen takes bus ride to attend lying-in-state at Throne Room of Istana Besar

JOHOR BARU: A pall of sadness fell on Istana Besar, as hundreds of people gathered and lined up this morning to pay their last respects on the late Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim, the Tunku Laksamana Johor, who died of cancer on Saturday night.

His remains were placed at the Throne Room of the palace for the lying-in-state.

The coffin, placed in the centre of the Throne Room, was covered with a Jalur Gemilang with a police cap and sword on top. The late Tunku Jalil had gone through police training and qualified as an inspector, the first member of the royal family to be part of the police force.

Close by, a group of men from the Johor Islamic Religious Council recited the Quran and Yassin for the late prince.

Palace officials and members of the Johor Military Force, Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri Johor, were stationed at each corner of the palace grounds to see that the visitors observed the code of conduct and attire.

Among the members of the public who came to pay their respects was Fatimahzahrah Abdul Ghani, 69, who rode a bus alone to get to the palace.

She had met the prince at an Aidilfitri open house in Istana Pasir Pelangi this year, where she had the opportunity to “salam” with him. She said Tunku Abdul Jalil had the common touch.

The Johor flag was flown at half mast at state government buildings as a mark of respect. Three days of mourning will be observed.

– BERNAMA