KUCHING: Sarawak stands to benefit from enhanced Johor-Singapore ties with the large Sarawakian population in the peninsula state.
Johor is ‘home’ to about 50,000 Sarawakians, working in both Johor and crossing the causeway daily to work in Singapore, said social activist Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon in his Facebook post.
He noted that Johor and the Republic of Singapore have been good neighbours since the founding of the new dynasty in Johor.
“Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and his late father Sultan Iskandar together with Prime Minister Dato Lee Hsien Loong and the late Dato Lee Kuan yew have long cherished the unique ties and relationships between the two countries,” said Ang, when congratulating Lee upon being bestowed Johor’s highest Order of Chivalry by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in a special investiture ceremony held at Istana Besar, recently.
According to the Sultan of Johor’s official Facebook post, Lee, 70, received the The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johor (First Class), “Dato’ Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor” (S.P.M.J), which carries the title “Dato.” Lee’s wife, Madam HO CHING was also conferred with the SMIJ, 1st Class Grand Commander of the Order of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar carrying the title of Datin.
Ang, who is also a recipient of the S.P.M.J (First Class), noted that Singapore’s first prime minister, the late Lee Kuan Yew was also bestowed the award by the late Sultan Iskandar Ismail of Johore.
