KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Members of the public, especially city dwellers, have been advised not to panic over the booming sounds of cannon fire while driving along Jalan Sultan Abdul Halim on Friday and Saturday morning.
Prime Minister’s Department corporate communications head Mohd Faidz Sanusi said two cannon shots will be fired at 8.30am Friday during the full rehearsal of the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
“On the actual day of the installation ceremony on Saturday, also at 8.30am, a 21-gun salute will be fired using the cannons. Whoever hears the sounds of cannon fire during that time, there is no need to panic,” he said when on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme today.
Faidz reiterated that events to mark the installation ceremony of the 17th King will begin tomorrow with a yasin recital and doa selamat at Masjid Negara at 5.30pm, followed by a special Friday sermon and prayer the following day.
He said among the royal guests expected to attend the installation ceremony at Istana Negara on Saturday are Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Other events lined up are the Royal Banquet at Istana Negara on Saturday evening, the Queen’s visit to the Orang Asli Hospital in Gombak on July 23, the launch of the “Raja Kita” exhibition at Muzium Negara on July 25, and the Royal Tea Reception at Istana Negara on July 27.
Faidz said the “Raja Kita” exhibition will remain open until September 2, offering an opportunity for the public to view approximately 130 royal regalia from Johor and the federal level.
“Among them are the royal regalia of Malaysia, the Johor State Constitution manuscript, and the personal collections of Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah,” he said.
Faidz said the King’s Installation Ceremony is a highly symbolic event that only occurs every five years.
He said it is a good opportunity for Malaysians to gain a deeper understanding of how the constitutional monarchy system is practised in Malaysia and to foster love and respect for the royal institution.
“As announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, ‘wayang pacak’ or open-air cinemas will be set up in all 222 parliamentary constituencies on July 20 to broadcast the installation ceremony live. Take this opportunity to watch it as it will display Malay customs and traditions, which should be appreciated,” he said.
— Bernama
