Crown Prince of Johor expresses hopes for a win-win solution for Malaysia and Singapore

Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Johor waxed diplomatic in a Facebook post on Thursday, December 13, when he called for a solution to the current territorial disputes that would result in wins for both Singapore and Malaysia.

Tunku Ismail, the heir to Johor, chose to provide a very personal example of good relations between the two countries—himself.

He posted a photo of himself flanked by two other men—a Malaysian and a Singaporean. To the right of the Prince stands Prem Singh from the Singapore Special Branch, who, he said, has been watching over him for the past nine years.

To his left stands Leftenan Kolonel Samsyawal Muhamad from the Malaysian Special Forces (Gerak Khas), whom the Prince met from his officer’s course sixteen years ago, but who has worked with him for the past three years.

The post and photo suggest unity, friendship and the ability to work well together.

https://www.facebook.com/hrhcrownprinceofjohor/photos/a.2084533491864070/2145388039111948/?type=3&theater

His full post reads:

“On my right is Prem Singh from the Singapore Special Branch. He has been taking care of me for nine years. On my left is Leftenan Kolonel Samsyawal bin Muhamad from the Malaysian Special Forces (Gerak Khas), who was my sniper buddy when I did my Young Officer’s course in PULADA in 2002. He has been working with me for the last three years. I don’t need to introduce myself, I’m from Johor.
Here I am in the middle between Singapore and Malaysia. The three of us are good friends, working well in the same organization. I hope the countries can find a solution that is a win-win situation to prosper together and not get entangled in unnecessary issues.

HRH Major General Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Crown Prince of Johor”

Netizens applauded the Crown Prince for his post, which sought to unite rather than divide the two nations, at a time of complaints from Singapore over intrusions of Malaysian vessels into territorial waters off Johor Baru, while Malaysia has not been happy with the new flight path of Singapore over Seletar Airport, claiming it encroaches into Malaysia’s airspace.