JOHOR BARU: The 20th edition of the Kembara Mahkota Johor expedition kicked off in grand fashion with the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar leading the convoy in a silver custom-made Morgan Three Wheeler sports car.
More than 5,000 people attended the opening ceremony at Dataran Bandaraya here today.
Also accompanying Sultan Ibrahim in the statewide tour are Permasuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah,Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail, his wife Che' Puan Khaleeda Bustamam, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris, Tunku Tun Aminah, her husband Dennis Muhammad Abdullah, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar.
The tour was flagged off by Johor Council of the Royal Court president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli at about 9am.
Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah were in the first of 12 Morgan Three Wheelers that set off from the square to begin the journey.
This was followed by the Morgan Three Wheelers that were driven by Tunku Ismail, Tunku Idris and Tunku Abdul Rahman and one driven by Dennis Muhammad with Tunku Tun Aminah by his side.
In a speech at the flagging-off ceremony, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the annual royal tour had broken down barriers and given an opportunity for Johor's ruler to see to the needs of his subjects throughout the state.
"It was through Kembara Mahkota Johor that His Majesty the Sultan of Johor was able to give good advice and suggestions to the state government, particularly in Johor's development policies and agenda.
"There have been many development agendas that were outlined in Johor which were good ideas and suggestions from the Sultan of Johor."
"Since it was introduced 17 years ago, the Kembara Mahkota Johor is an important event which has made the tiesamong the palace, state government and the people to become closer, friendlier and stronger " said Khaled.
He said the annual tour was a manifestation of the Johor tradition of “The Ruler and His subjects are inseparable” (Raja dan Rakyat Berpisah Tiada) which was a unique trait of Johor's royal family.
"More importantly, it symbolises that the palace is moving with the times and that it is very inclusive and for the people.
"This tour has broken down the walls of feaudalism and modernised the royal institution. Through this tour, the people meet with their ruler and in turn, the ruler, is able to visit and get closer to his subjects," said Khaled.
This year's four-day tour will span 808km across all 10 districts which will include many stopovers with meet-the-people programmes.
The first day covers 195km from Johor Baru to Kota Tinggi and Mersing.
The second day will cover 157km between Mersing and Kluang and onwards in a 209km route covering Batu Pahat, Segamat, Tangkak and Muar on the third day.
The final day will take the royal convoy through 247km between Muar and Kulai with the closing ceremony at Hutan Bandar in Bandar Putra, Kulai.