The Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim takes to Facebook to rebut a minister's remarks, reminding him to serve the people. – Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
Without naming him, the Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim today reminded Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, that he was not God "who lords over everybody".
In a hard-hitting Facebook posting, the crown prince told Nazri that he was a minister, responsible to serve the people who had entrusted him with the position.
"You are a minister, not a God from the heavens who lord over everybody. Do not think the people of this country exist to provide you with position and wealth, but the positions exist for you to serve the people," he said.
"In the new world order, I envision a future that every person has a right to voice their opinions. However, that is not the case in Malaysia today, where ministers think they are untouchable."
This comes after Nazri, on June 13, ticked off the crown prince over his criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib for not showing up at the "Nothing to Hide" forum on 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
"How can you have a dialogue called 'Nothing2Hide' featuring a person who has everything to hide? Obviously he won't show up," the crown prince had said last week.
"For those who have been entrusted with the responsibility, do not blame the people for losing confidence and trust in you, but think of why they no longer have the confidence and trust in you."
Nazri, who is also an Umno supreme council member, then said rulers and members of the royal family were not above the law and should not comment on politics "otherwise he will be subject to the same rule and we will whack him".
Today, Tunku Ismail lamented that his "gentle reminder" had been met with a "hostile" response from Nazri, noting that he had only reminded the leaders that they had a responsibility to serve the people.
"If I got such a reply, then what chances do the rest of the rakyat have? I am willing to be cursed for standing up for what is right, rather than be loved for defending what is wrong.
"When I voice out, I do it as the leader of my rakyat, on behalf of Johoreans and Malaysians. All I did is to remind the leaders of the country that they have a responsibility to serve the people, and for this, I am attacked."
The crown prince said that he was only answerable to Allah, the Sultan and the people of Johor, which, he said, only has place for those who serve the people.
"I am not a politician. I am only answerable to Allah, my Sultan and the people of Johor. I do not do the bidding of some puppet-master who pulls the strings.
“Johor only has place for those who want to serve the people, not for those who want to garner votes for their own interests.
"There will come a time, when Johoreans must decide what is best for us and our future generations. Decide and unite we will, as Bangsa Johor, to forge our future. United we stand strong, divided we fall.
"I stand for my rakyat, not to joust for power, not to topple the government, but to ensure the well-being of my people." – June 15, 2015.
Johoreans hit back at Nazri for ‘warning’ Crown Prince
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13, 2015:
Johoreans played the knights in shining armour for its crown prince after the latter was warned to stay out of politics by Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
The Tourism and Culture Minister was reported to have told Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to not intervene in the country’s political affairs or risk getting verbally “whacked”.
This subsequently led to 17-second video — which some assume is a reply to Nazri — posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page showing Tunku Ismail sitting on a chair and motioning a “come at me” gesture with his left hand while smirking.
In less than an hour after the video was posted, it received more than 700 comments where the social media users interpreted it as the prince teasing Nazri.
“TMJ is very relaxed. He did not act angrily. He was smiling. He used the coolest way to reply to Nazri’s comment. You’re the best Tunku,” said one Facebook user, Nur Farhanah Fadhil.
“If you are brave enough, come to Johor. The Johoreans are lining up waiting for you before you can meet TMJ. Come and see us, the rakyat, first,” said Shah, alluding to Nazri.For Shah Shah Zakaria, Tunku Ismail’s reaction in the video showed that the latter “could not be bothered to talk”.
Another user, Herman Bin Riswan asked Nazri teasingly to come to Johor since “there is already an invitation”, referring to the hand gesture made by Tunku Ismail.
A chorus of support also flooded the comment section on the post where most of the users called on other Johoreans to show their support for the prince.
Frank Lucas, urged Johoreans to stand up and “fight against people who tried to step on the Sultan’s dignity”.
“No matter what our political differences are, we have to be united! For Johor!”
Azree Cluewang Johore, meanwhile, said the Johoreans are all with Tunku Ismail and asked Nazri when he was coming down to Johor, while another user, Yasmin Hatory asked Nazri why did he decide to pick on the “tiger”.
“You will get scratched. Salute TMJ,” Yasmin Hatory wrote.
The tiger cubs, a phrase Johoreans refer themselves to, were not the only voices supporting Tunku Ismail. Other Facebook users who claimed they were from other states also defended the prince.
Shyko Dessert in his comment said: “TMJ voiced out for the people. If this is what it takes, not only the Johoreans will support TMJ, a Pahangite like me, too, will come down to show my support!!!”
Syazman Shiari, who is from Kelantan, said he and other Kelantanese, too, will always “stand behind TMJ’s back.”
Meanwhile, some Johoreans also made threatening comments saying they will stop supporting certain political parties if their politicians continued to lash out at their beloved prince.
“I can guarantee, Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional supporters…anyone who dare to touch on Johor monarch, it’s a big mistake. All of us can unite and fight together, we are different,” said Roslan Raef.
Source: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/06/13/johoreans-hit-back-at-nazri-for-warning-crown-prince/
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/06/15/TMJ-Perlis-mufti/
Perlis mufti backs Johor Crown Prince
PETALING JAYA: Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin voiced his support for the Johor Crown Prince, saying that he has the right to express his opinions.
"As someone who lives in this country, and as a son of the Sultan, nobody can deny his right to speak," said Asri on his Facebook page DrMAZA.com.
He said that Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is speaking up on behalf of the public.
"I just read his last statement about his criticisms, I respect his opinions.
"May he continue to fight for the public's best interest," said Asri on Monday.
Earlier, in a war of words, the Johor Crown Prince reminded Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz that "he is not a God from the heavens who lord above everybody".
Earlier, in a war of words, the Johor Crown Prince reminded Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz that "he is not a God from the heavens who lord above everybody".
In a post on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page on Monday, Tunku Ismail said that the Tourism and Culture Minister should not think the people of this country exist to provide him with position and wealth, but the position exists for him to serve the rakyat.
Tunku Ismail also urged politicians not to use him to divert attention from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and other national issues.
"This country needs politicians who are clean and transparent, who carry out their duties with sincerity and integrity,” he said.
On Saturday, Nazri had criticised Tunku Ismail, saying that royalty should not be involved in politics.
On Saturday, Nazri had criticised Tunku Ismail, saying that royalty should not be involved in politics.
Nazri said this in response to a post made by Tunku Ismail on June 5, criticising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for not attending an open dialogue session organised by a non-governmental organisation.
Tunku Ismail immediately responded through a video post on Johor Southern Tigers by making a beckoning gesture with his left hand, which seemed to imply that he was not afraid to face any challenge.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Monday that Nazri would be investigated under Section 505B of the Penal Code following his remark against Tunku Ismail, which could cause alarm to the public.Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/06/15/TMJ-Perlis-mufti/
