Johol sultan gets royal award from Surakarta ------------------------- Kartika Bagus C. The Jakarta Post Surakarta -------------------------

Sultan Muhammad Abdul bin Alip, the 13th Johol Sultan from Negeri Sembilan Malaysia, received on Saturday a royal title from the Surakarta Hadiningrat palace in Central Java in a special ceremony that coincided with the 58th anniversary of Pakoe Boewono XII's enthronement.

The Malaysian sultan received the Kanjeng Pangeran Aryo Adipati (KPAA), the second highest royal title given by the Surakarta palace.

He was also awarded the royal honor of Paduka Yang Teramat Mulia.

With the Surakarta royal honor, the Johol sultan's full royal name is KPAA Paduka Yang Teramat Mulia Dato Johan Pahlewan Lela Perkasa Undang Luak Johol XIII.

Sultan Pakoe Boewono XII led the royal ceremony, which was marked with the traditional Bedhaya Ketawang dance. The Surakarta sultan then walked down to the Kamandungan gate to scatter Rp 500 and Rp 1,000 coins totaling Rp 5 million in a tradition called udhik-udhik.

The tradition is part of an offering, whose philosophy is to provide health, safety and prosperity to the people of Surakarta.