JOHOR BARU: The newly-proclaimed Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, has expressed displeasure over rumours that people had been reprimanded for not wearing proper attire of mourning for his late father. Johor Council of Royal Court secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said Sultan Ibrahim Ismail had related his concern over the rumours.

"His Royal Highness relayed (his concern) to me this morning. He has heard the rumours and is not pleased. He is very concerned.

"Never has Johor issued a directive to force people to wear (clothes for mourning). There is not an iota of truth in the rumours," he said in his office at Istana Besar here.

Rahim also denied rumours of policemen or personnel from the Johor Military Force detaining people who were not wearing the mourning attire.

By tradition, the people are required to mourn the death of rulers for seven days.

Johor adopts a standard mourning attire of songkok with a white band for Muslim men, white veil for Muslim women and black armband on the left arm for non-Muslims. Those wearing uniforms are required to wear the black armband.

Rahim described the nasty rumours as "nonsense" and said those who wished to mourn the late Sultan Iskandar should do it sincerely.

"If Johoreans want to mourn his majesty's death, they should do so out of sincerity, loyalty and love for Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

"If one does not wish to wear it, one needn't do so. There is no force to do so," he said.

Rahim also announced the proper way to address the current sultan of Johor's consort and eldest son.

He said the sultan's consort would be officially referred to as "Yang Maha Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah", while the sultan's eldest son, who is Raja Muda Johor is referred to as "Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim".

Rahim said both their titles would be used until further notice.