SHAH ALAM: The opportunity to witness the arrival of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at the Subang Air Base proves has been a valuable learning experience for teachers and pupils of SMK Alam Megah 2.
Arriving at the gates outside Subang Air Base as early as 7am, school principal Siti Dewi Marsitah Ismail said the students were in high spirits to witness first hand history in the making.
"Even though it's just His Majesty's arrival and motorcade that we are witnessing, this is a chance for the pupils to learn about the inauguration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"It is an 'outside the classroom' experience for them to get up close with the country's constitutional monarchy system.
"For many of them, this is their first time participating in such activities," she said.
Siti Dewi also said that the learning experience the pupils received today goes beyond the History subject as they can also channel what they saw today into their language subjects in the form of essays.
Meanwhile, Form 4 pupil Eriesya Azwa Musrizalmaini was elated and grateful to see Sultan Ibrahim up close.
"It's a memorable experience for me as we get to see the Agong and welcome him upon his arrival.
"I also feel a sense of pride as not many pupils from other schools could participate in this special occasion," she said.
Nur Suffia Nayli Zuidi, another SMK Alam Megah 2 Form 4 student said attending His Majesty's arrival outside Subang Air Base today was an unforgettable experience.
"Normally we see His Majesty through the television screens, but today I can finally see him in person. It is very exciting.
"I also can relate to what I learnt from my History subject on the inauguration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the constitutional monarchy.
"In the classroom, we could not imagine how jubilant the inauguration ceremony and its procession was based on our textbooks, but today, we can feel it for ourselves," she said.
The teachers and pupils of SMK Alam Megah 2 were among the 1,200 strong crowd consisting of members of the public and the civil service that gathered to welcome Sultan Ibrahim.
Sultan Ibrahim earlier departed for the inauguration ceremony from Istana Bukit Serene, Johor at 7.45am and boarded a special aircraft at the Royal Hangar of Senai International Airport, Johor Baru.
The ceremonial welcome of His Majesty then began at the Subang Air Base at about 9.40am following his flight's arrival.
His Majesty then headed to Istana Negara where His Majesty is scheduled to take the oath of office as the country's 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong today for a five-year term.
The ceremony of taking the oath of office and signing of the instrument of office will be held at the 264th (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at Balairung Seri (throne room), Istana Negara.
At the ceremony, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, will be sworn in as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the same period.
The Queen, Raja Zarith Sofiah, and Their Majesties' children are also scheduled to grace the historic ceremony.
Sultan Ibrahim was elected as the 17th King at the 263rd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers in October last year, which also saw Sultan Nazrin elected as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Sultan Ibrahim replaces Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who completed his reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday.