JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Members of the public have gathered at Dataran Bandaraya, or main square of Johor Baru, on Monday (Aug 14) to watch the live telecast of the wedding of Johor princess Tunku Tun Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Ibrahim and her Dutch husband Dennis Muhammad Abdullah on giant screens.
Some came as early as 6pm to watch the bersanding (sitting-in-state) ceremony of the couple that was broadcast live from Istana Besar, or grand palace, starting at 8pm.
Kitchen worker Noraslinda Ismail, 35, said she took a day off from work for the occasion as Tunku Tun Aminah has always been her idol.
"Tunku Aminah has been a inspiration to me and although I have not met her, she seems to be a humble and friendly person," Noraslinda told The Star.
"I did not want to miss the opportunity to watch the wedding, so I took a day's leave from work to be here."
Trader Mohammad Nur Haffis Rosman, 21, said he and his relatives came in five cars to witness the ceremony.
"We are super excited to watch the royal couple on the big screen and came early to reserve good spots for the night," he said.
"Last night, my wife and I went around Istana Bukit Serene and Istana Besar areas to catch a glimpse of the decorations that have been put up."
Earlier, at the Istana Bukit Serene, the couple were pronounced husband and wife after their akad nikah (solemnisation of marriage) ceremony.
The ceremony, which followed Johor royal tradition was witnessed by the parents of the bride, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, as well as close family members and friends.
Also present were the groom's parents, Martin and Henriette Verbaas, his brother and sister, as well as close family friends who had flown in from the Netherlands to be part of the wedding ceremonies.
Police personnel were seen controlling traffic at the main entrance of Istana Bukit Serene along Jalan Skudai from 8am as members of the royal family and guests arrived.
Members of the public were spotted outside the palace grounds snapping photos and videos as the guests arrived.
Sultan Ibrahim arrived in a blue and white Rolls Royce at about 8.45am.
The princess' brothers Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar arrived one after the other before Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail arrived in a black Rolls Royce at 9.47am.
Singaporean Muhd Zaki Zakaria, 22, said he woke up before dawn and crossed the border, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal entourage entering the palace.
"I am a big fan of Tunku Aminah and she is my fashion icon. My admiration for her grew after I met her by chance at a cafe in Jalan Dhoby here in August last year.
"I will be staying back until later at night and join the crowd at Dataran Johor Baru to watch the live telecast of the bersanding (sitting-in-state) ceremony ceremony," he said.
