JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar today carried out the changing of the colours of the Johor Military Force (JMF), an event that has only been conducted three times in the force's 130-year history.
Held at the grounds of Istana Besar, here, the event saw the ruler inspecting a guard of honour consisting of 180 JMF personnel and seven officers.
The JMF was established on May 11, 1886 under the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim. Its inception was based on an agreement signed by Sultan Abu Bakar in London, United Kingdom in the previous year to uphold peace and protect Johor and Singapore from outside threats.
The late Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Abu Bakar was the first ruler who had bestowed new colours to the JMF when the force celebrated its 30th anniversary on May 11, 1916.
The colours were a flag of Johor.
The second change of JMF colours was conducted on Aug 10, 1986 when Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail bestowed a new a dark blue flag stitched with the words "Allah peliharakan" (Allah protects) in jawi over a crown, keris and sword. The latest JMF colours today is the same dark blue flag stitched with the same symbols and wordings but with a diagonal yellow stripe.
Also present were Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and armed forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.