Johor Sultan awarded honorary degree by NUS during visit to Singapore
Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was awarded an honorary degree by the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Wednesday (Jul 20).
In a press release, the university said Sultan Ibrahim was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition of his “integral role in ensuring the peace, progress and prosperity of the State of Johor, and his invaluable contributions towards the strengthening of ties between Singapore and Malaysia”.
A special conferment ceremony, presided over by President Halimah Yacob who is also NUS Chancellor, was held at the Istana.
NUS said the honorary degree is its highest form of recognition for outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and had a great impact locally and globally.
“NUS is honoured and privileged to confer the Honorary Doctor of Laws on His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim. Under Sultan Ibrahim’s leadership, the close friendship between Singapore and Johor, and Malaysia, has grown deeper and stronger,” said NUS president Tan Eng Chye.
“Sultan Ibrahim is a distinguished leader and respected monarch of many outstanding attributes − a seasoned soldier, a benevolent philanthropist, and above all, a caring ruler who has the welfare of his subjects at heart.”
The sultan is in Singapore this week for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said previously.
He is accompanied by his wife, Raja Zarith Sofiah, crown prince Tunku Ismail and his wife Che’ Puan Besar Khaleeda, Johor’s chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi and other state officials.
During his visit from Wednesday to Friday, Sultan Ibrahim‘s official itinerary also includes a visit to the site of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link Woodlands North terminus, Sembawang Air Base and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
The Johor Sultan’s visit comes two months after Lee was conferred the highest honor in the state of Johor during a visit in May.
Lee 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.
His wife, Mdm Ho Ching, received the First Class, Grand Commander of the Order, Dato’ Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor (SMIJ – Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor).
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES