Johor royal traditions decree an initiation of work ritual is to precede a royal ceremony to seek divine guidance and blessing. In 1878 Maharaja Abu Bakar designed a ceremonial flag to be raised at the initiation of work ritual. The ceremonial flag will be lowered a week after the ceremony.

The last time the ceremony was held was in 1922 to mark the wedding of HH Tunku Temenggong Ahmad Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

HRH Sultan Ibrahim revived the tradition when he decreed the ceremonial flag is to be raised a week prior to his birthday ceremony on 22 November 2012 held in Muar and the conferment of the status of a Royal Town to Bandar Maharani Bandar Diraja.

The initiation of work ceremony for the coronation and subsequent ceremonies is now held at the Cenotaph within the Royal Botanical Garden of the Grand Palace in Johor Bahru. The ceremonial flag measures 10’x20’ and the flagstaff is 60’ high.

A JMF Warrant Officer leads a group of 9 other ranks (flag bearers), 5 Bandsmen (side drums) and 5 bandsmen (buglers) at the ceremony. The flag is carried in slow march to the flagstaff.

The ceremony begins with a proclamation by the Grand Master of Ceremonies followed by a supplication by the Mufti.

The ceremonial flag is hoisted slowly accompanied by a drum roll, the tune of a bugle and a 7-gun salute.

The flag group salutes when the flag is raised.

The flag is lowered a week after the conclusion of a royal ceremony. The Grand Master of Ceremonies declares a proclamation and the Mufti recites a supplication. The lowering of the flag is accompanied with a drum roll, a 3-gun salute and the Last Post. The ceremonial flag is then folded and presented to the Grand Master of Ceremonies.

 

Source:

• Dato’ Hj Mohd Said - The Second Chronicle of Johor.
• Abdul Rahim Ramli “Adat Istiadat Kesultanan Johor Moden 1855-2012”
• JMF Headquarters.