According to the Sultan of Johor’s official Facebook post, Lee, 70, received The Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Johor (First Class), Dato’ Sri Paduka Mahkota Johor (SPMJ), which carries the title “Dato”.

His wife, Ho Ching, who recently retired as Temasek Holdings chief executive officer, was also honoured with The Most Exalted Order of Sultan Ibrahim Johor (First Class), Dato’ Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor (SMIJ) which carries the title “Datin Paduka”.

The investiture, which was steeped in tradition and ceremony, was also graced by the Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, the Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim as well as other members of the Johor Royal Family.

Johor had previously also bestowed Orders of Chivalry on Singapore leaders as a testimony of the warm and close friendship it enjoys with its immediate neighbour.

They include the late former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who received the SPMJ award on April 9, 1984 in conjunction with the late Sultan Iskandar’s 52nd birthday.

Meanwhile, Sultan Ibrahim said the conferment of the state’s highest award on Lee was a testimony of the long-standing close and strong relations between the two neighbours.

“Johor and Singapore since time immemorial have enjoyed a special relationship. Today’s special investiture in honour of the Singapore prime minister is a tangible manifestation of our close friendship and deepening ties.

“I wish to thank the prime minister for his continuing efforts to strengthen our close and strong relations,” Sultan Ibrahim said.

Also present at the ceremony was Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi.