Sultan Ibrahm (left) and Dr Mahathir arrive at the Senai International Airport in the Proton Saga. — Bernama photo
JOHOR BAHRU: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar yesterday drove Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Senai International Airport after granting the Prime Minister an audience with him at the Istana Bukit Serene here.
And their ride was a blue Proton Saga car, the first of its kind with a registration number Proton 1, which was a gift from Dr Mahathir to Sultan Ibrahim’s late father, Sultan Iskandar, in 1985.
When asked about his 22-km trip from the Istana Bukit Serene to the airport in that ‘old’ car, Dr Mahathir said: “I think it is a good endorsement of a Proton car. Thirty-four years and still functioning.
“Very good. This 34-year old car that was given by me to his father in Kuala Lumpur…a manual (transmission)…the clock still works properly…no breakdown.
“It has done 22,000 km. At that time, the price tag was only 17,000 (ringgit). That’s why I was able to afford to give a free gift to the Agong,” said Dr Mahathir.
Sultan Iskandar was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong back then. — Bernama