Philippine President granted audience by Johor Ruler

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has welcomed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at Istana Bukit Serene here as part of the latter’s inaugural state visit to Malaysia.

According to Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page, His Majesty and Marcos shared a long history together as they were coursemates when undergoing military training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in the United States back in the late 1970s.

Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim were also present to receive the Philippine entourage on Thursday (July 27), which included First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.

Sultan Ibrahim had his arm in a sling having just undergone surgery in Kuala Lumpur last week to treat an old shoulder injury.

The President and his wife were later feted to a tea reception at the palace.

Marcos, who was inaugurated as the 17th president of the Philippines in June last year, was on a three-day state visit to Malaysia.

In July 2019, His Majesty visited the Philippines at the personal invitation of then President Rodrigo Duterte, during which Sultan Ibrahim was conferred the “Order of Sikatuna”, which carries the title “Datu”.

Marcos’s visit to Johor came after he was accorded a state welcome at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (July 26) in conjunction with his maiden visit to Malaysia which began Tuesday (July 25).