2010/06/25
From NST Online

JOHOR BARU: For the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Idris Sultan Ibrahim, the Kembara Mahkota Johor programme holds a meaningful and special significance.

"I'm always excited about the Kembara Mahkota Johor programme as it is a time where my father, the sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, and my family have the opportunity to be close to the people, especially in rural areas," he said yesterday.

Tunku Ismail said in the past, the Kembara Mahkota Johor convoy used high-powered motorcycles to reach the state's interior. "However, this time round the convoy will be unique as it is a first time that the Kembara Mahkota Johor programme will reach out to the people via train."

Tunku Ismail is scheduled to join Sultan Ibrahim when he visits the last district of the programme, which is Segamat on Sunday.  The highlight of his visit is a top spinning competition where he will give out the prizes to winners in Kampung Paya Merah, Labis.

Later in the day, the sultan will arrive at the Segamat train station where he will be ferried in an antique car to Dataran Segamat. He will join a traditional kuih-making activity to make dodol, lempok durian and kuih bepang. The sultan's itinerary also includes officiating at a Sukan Rakyat event.

The next day, Sultan Ibrahim will ride a bicycle to the Bekok multipurpose hall in Bekok, Segamat, where he will hand out bicycles to needy children. He will then proceed to the Layang-Layang train station. The sultan will be accompanied by his consort, Raja Zarith Sofia, members of the royal family and state leaders.