Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife have received the Highest order of Honour of t
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching were presented with the State's highest Order of Merit by sultan Ibrahim Ibrahim of Johor on May 6 at the Istana Besar.
According to the Sultan of Johor Facebook page, Lee Hsien Loong, 70, was awarded the First class Royal Order of Dato Seri Baduka (SPMJ), known as "Dato", BERnama reported.
Ho Ching, wife of Singapore's prime minister, was awarded the First Class Datuk Seri Muriya (SMIJ), known as "Dattin Baduka".
Lee hsien Loong and his delegation arrived at the Grand Palace in an official car at 9:30 a.m., and Sultan Ibrahim arrived five minutes later. Johor Queen Raja Chari Sufiya, Crown Prince Tengku Ismail and other members of the royal family as well as Johor State Minister Datuk Ong Hafiz also attended the ceremony.
Johor has also previously awarded the SPMJ to Singaporean leaders to highlight the state's close friendship with its close neighbours.
The late Sultan Iskandar conferred the order of SPMJ on the late former Prime Minister of Singapore lee Kuan Yew on His 52nd birthday on 9 April 1984.
Sultan Ibrahim noted that awarding Lee hsien Loong the Highest order of Honor is a testament to the long-standing close and strong ties between the two neighbouring countries.
"Johor and Singapore have long enjoyed a special relationship. Today's special honours ceremony for the Prime Minister of Singapore is a concrete manifestation of our close friendship and deepening ties."
"I want to thank the Prime Minister for his continued efforts to strengthen our close and strong relationship."