PETALING JAYA: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching arrived at Istana Besar in Johor Baru at 9.30am on Friday (May 6).

       Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was also seen arriving at the palace at 9.35am Friday, while Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim had arrived at 9.04am, Bernama reported.

       Lee will receive Johor's highest state honour from Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, while his wife, Ho Ching, will receive a state award, at an investiture ceremony at Istana Besar, it was earlier reported.

       Lee will be conferred the title of Dato' Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor, or SPMJ for short, which means Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor, First Class.

       The order of chivalry is the oldest order given by any state of Malaysia, and was instituted in 1886 based on the English Order of St Michael and St George.

       Previous Singapore recipients include then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and then law minister EW Barker, who were given the award in 1984, and then prime minister Goh Chok Tong, who was given the award in 1991.

       Meanwhile, Ho will be the first Singaporean to be conferred the title of Dato' Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor, or SMIJ for short. It means Grand Commander of the Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, First Class.

       The personal order of chivalry was commissioned by Sultan Ibrahim in 2015 to commemorate his coronation, and comprises the Sovereign and three designated classes of membership - Grand Commander, Commander and Companion.

       MORE TO COME

       PM Singapura Lee Hsien Loong dan isteri tiba di Istana Besar Johor Bahru dengan menaiki kenderaan rasmi bagi majlis pengurniaan darjah kebesaran yang dijadualkan 9.30 pagi ini. pic.twitter.com/5PtbirMOZT

       — BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) May 6, 2022