Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Tun Mahathir Mohammad had choice words recently for Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Johor’s crown prince, which included a lesson on the concept of federation.
The 93-year-old Malaysian leader spoke in response to a Facebook post from the crown prince of Johor, dated January 2, wherein Tunku Ismail criticized the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
On January 4, Friday, after heading a meeting of the PH presidential council in Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Mahathir said that Tunku Ismail needs to understand better the differences between issues under the state and federal governments.
Dr. Mahathir emphasized his many years as a leader. “The crown prince probably does not understand the concept of a federation. Perhaps, he wasn’t born yet, but I was around at the time. We have a list of what falls under the power of the federation, and what falls under the state.”
Here’s the post that the Malaysian Prime Minister was reacting to:
MAAFKAN SAYASaya benar-benar mahukan kerajaan untuk berjaya. Saya bangun setiap hari dengan harapan bahawa pendapat…
Posted by HRH Crown Prince of Johor on Wednesday, 2 January 2019
Here is the text of the Crown Prince’s post in English.
“I’M SORRY
I really want the government to be successful. I wake up everyday hoping to be wrong. But, they keep proving me right. I did the same with the old government. And I’m doing the same now. No difference. Just wanting the best for the people. Some may not like what I say but that’s the challenge. To keep speaking up for the rakyat who can’t. Let me be public enemy No.1 if I have to be. I’m consistent and stand by my principles. Please… Please start Governing. Please stop fighting amongst each other, Please stop politicizing every issue. Sometimes I get it wrong. Everyone makes mistakes. For the mistakes that I’ve made, I’m sorry. I think we all should reflect on 2018 and be sorry for the wrongs.
Well it’s 2019, let’s get it right now. Let’s politicise less. Let’s popularise less over social media. Let’s make better decisions. Let’s cooperate and accept each other’s space and duty. Let’s serve the people and deliver the best for our country.
HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor”
In a nutshell, the Crown Prince asked the federal government to stop two things: fighting among themselves and politicizing every issue and asked the PH government to start governing. He even went so far as to say that he is willing to become Public Enemy Number 1 for the sake of the Malaysian people.
Dr. Mahathir said, concerning Johor and the PH administration that Tunku Ismail “has no position whatsoever.”
This is not the first time that the Crown Prince of Johor has locked horns with Dr. Mahathir. In a now-deleted tweet, Tunku Ismail referred to the Malaysian Prime Minister as “senile.”
Nevertheless, the Crown Prince remains hugely popular, especially in his area. His post has received 22,000 reactions since its posting, as well as more than 1,000 comments and 1,700 shares.
Read also: Crown Prince of Johor expresses hopes for a win-win solution for Malaysia and Singapore
https://theindependent.sg.sg/crown-prince-of-johor-expresses-hopes-for-a-win-win-solution-for-malaysia-and-singapore/