12 April 2007

Sultan of Johor recognised for bilateral relations

AWARD CEREMONY: His Majesty Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail being conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws.

His Majesty Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, Sultan and Sovereign Ruler of the State and Territories of Johor Darul Ta'zim, was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws (12 April) by NUS. The award was given in recognition of His Majesty's integral and unique role in nurturing the development and prosperity of the State of Johor, Singapore's closest neighbour and strategic partner; as well as his enduring contribution to the longstanding bilateral relations between Singapore and Malaysia and those of Singapore and Johor.

	BILATERAL RELATIONS: The ceremony was well attended by members of the Johor Royal family as well as Singapore cabinet ministers. Upper picture, from left: Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs; Mrs Mah and Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development; Datin Professor Jamilah Ariffin and His Excellency Dato Abdul Ghani Bin Othman, Menteri Besar of Johor. Lower picture, from left: His Highness Tunku Abdul Jalil Ibni Tunku Osman, President Council of Johor Royal Court; Puan Fauziah Bte Hashim; Mr Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence; Mrs Teo; Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower and 2nd Minister for Defence; Ms Grace Fu, Minister of State, Ministry of National Development; and Dr Tony Tan, Chairman, National Research Foundation.

Singapore President and NUS Chancellor, Mr S R Nathan presided at the ceremony. Also present were members of the Johor Royal Family; Minister-in-Attendance and Singapore's Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan; Singapore cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

Prof Tan Cheng Han, Dean, Faculty of Law, said in his citation for His Majesty: "Johor and Singapore are more than just neighbours and good friends. We are uniquely interdependent. History has shown that close cooperation between Johor and Singapore promotes stability, security and growth for both sides. The close traditional ties between Singapore's leaders and Sultans of Johor, and especially His Majesty's warm personal ties with older Singapore leaders like E W Barker and Lee Kuan Yew have sustained the friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Johor and Singapore."

FRIENDLY CHAT: The Sultan of Johor meets up with NUS students from Malaysia after the ceremony. Looking on is NUS Pro-Chancellor, Mr Ridzwan Bin Haji Dzafir (3rd from right).

SEND OFF: His Majesty Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, and Her Majesty Sultanah Zanariah Binti Almarhum Tunku Ahmad being sent off after the ceremony by Singapore President and NUS Chancellor, Mr S R Nathan.