SINGAPORE (CNA) – Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was conferred the highest honour in the state of Johor yesterday.
He received the First Class, Grand Commander of the Order, Dato’ Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor (SPMJ – Order of the Crown of Johor) from the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
His wife Ho Ching received the First Class, Grand Commander of the Order, Dato’ Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor (SMIJ – Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor).
Lee and his wife were in Johor yesterday at the invitation of Sultan Ibrahim, with the award investiture ceremony held at the Istana Besar.
Ho is the first Singaporean recipient of the SMIJ, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Thursday.
The Sultan also hosted an official brunch in honour of Lee and Ho after the ceremony.
Sultan Ibrahim said Johor and Singapore have enjoyed a special relationship “since
time immemorial”.
“Today’s special investiture in honour of the Singapore Prime Minister is a tangible manifestation of our close friendship and deepening ties,” the Sultan said in remarks to the Royal Press Office, published on his Facebook page.
“I wish to thank the Prime Minister for his continuing efforts to strengthen our close and strong relations.”
Lee said he was “deeply honoured” to receive the state’s highest honour, adding that it was a pleasure to meet Sultan Ibrahim and his wife in Johor Bahru again after land borders were partially shut for almost two years.
“I look forward to hosting Sultan Ibrahim during his official visit to Singapore later this year,” he said.
Accompanying the Prime Minister and Mdm Ho were Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, together with officials from the PMO, the Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Communications and Information ministries.
Members of the Johor royal family and the Royal Court, as well Johor state government representatives were also in attendance.
