JOHOR BARU, Dec 6 ― The Tunku Laksamana Johor, Tunku Abdul Jalil Sultan Ibrahim who passed away yesterday due to cancer, was laid to rest at Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum, here, at 3.20 pm.
The prince, 25, was interred on the right side of the tomb of his paternal grandfather, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Almarhum Sultan Ismail, who passed away on Jan 22, 2010, on the request made by Tunku Abdul Jalil before.
He passed away at 7.11 pm yesterday at Sultanah Aminah Hospital.
Tunku Abdul Jalil was the fourth of six children of the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah.
Grief was written on the faces of the royal family and others present when the remains of the much loved prince arrived at the royal mausoleum at 1.50 pm.
Earlier, the coffin bearing the remains had been placed on a "pedati" or royal carriage for the procession accompanied by the Johor Sultan and two of his other sons, the Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail and Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris.
The "pedati" had been drawn by members of the Askar Timbalan Setia Negeri Johor for a distance of three kilometres from Istana Besar through its arched gateway and passing through Jalan Ayer Molek to reach the royal mausoleum.
Upon arrival, Tunku Ismail and Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman were seen joining the soldiers in carrying the coffin for about 50 metres into the mausoleum.
The rain that suddenly poured did not prevent the hundreds of people gathered outside the mausoleum from staying put to witness the laying to rest of the late Tunku Abdul Jalil, adored by all for his common touch and humbleness.
When the talkin was read by Johor Islamic Religious Council adviser Datuk Nooh Gadut, Tunku Ismail who was seated next to Sultan Ibrahim was seen holding his father's hand and trying to hold back his tears.
The Sultan and Permaisuri Johor were seen teary-eyed during the burial ceremony.
Also present to sprinkle scented water and floral blooms and petals on the grave of Tunku Laksamana Johor was the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Earlier since morning, several national leaders including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein arrived at Istana Besar to pay their last respects on Tunku Abdul Jalil.
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Law and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs K. Shanmugam were also present at the palace to pay their last respects on behalf of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Lee and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan have also written to the Johor Sultan to convey their condolences on the passing of Tunku Abdul Jalil. ― Bernama
