Johoreans pay last respects to Sultan Iskandar
People from all walks of life today paid their last respects to the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, who died yesterday evening.
People from all walks of life today paid their last respects to the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, who died yesterday evening. 
They came to Istana Besar here as early as 9am and were allowed into the palace's main hall, where the remains of the late Sultan of Johor (left in photo) were lying in state, about 50 minutes later.
The newly-proclaimed Sultan of Johor, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Sultan Iskandar (right in photo), his wife Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, members of the royal household, Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman and state leaders were also inside the hall.
Members of the public, in their mourning attire, filed past the casket, which was draped in the Sultan of Johor's flag, while reciting prayers.
The late Sultan Iskandar's crown and sword were placed on the coffin while his medals and decorations were displayed around it.
His body was later taken in a 3km procession from Istana Besar to the Royal Mausoleum, with thousands of people lining up both sides of the road.
There was also a 77-gun salute by the 41st Ceremonial Battery of Sungai Buloh Camp to mark Sultan Iskandar's age during his death.
His body was laid to rest next to his father's grave at the mausoleum.
Najib cut short India's visit
Sultan Iskandar was born in 1932 and educated in Australia and Britain before joining the state civil service.
He took over as sultan of Johor in 1981, following the death of his father and served as Agong from 1984 to 1989.
Local papers were filled with tributes to Sultan Iskandar, calling him a "selfless ruler at heart" and "a ruler close to his subjects."
Prime Minister Najib Razak cut short a state visit to India, returning to Malaysia early today for the sultan's funeral.
Among the rulers present were Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sultan of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharaffudin Idris Shah and Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Ahmadshah Abdullah and Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Khalil Yaakob also paid their last respects to the late Sultan Iskandar.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong were also present.
