Sultan warns politicians, targets Umno rep, Nazri

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar issued a warning to all politicians, zeroing in on Umno Kempas assemblyperson Tengku Putra Haron Aminulrashid and minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The monarch reminded politicians not to intervene in palace affairs or make statements linked to the palace.

The sultan said this in response to certain politicians who made remarks that sounded arrogant.

"My advice to politicians - among them is the Kempas state assemblyperson - is not to meddle in the affairs of the Johor palace or try to make statements that implicate the palace.

"There are also leaders in the government who are totally rude when speaking up, by labelling others as 'crazy' and even worse, being so arrogant as to wanting to 'whack' my son," he said.

Sultan Ibrahim appeared to be referring to Nazri (photo), who was embroiled in a verbal tussle with the crown prince Tunku Ismail.

"Are these the kind of leaders that are to be respected? Remember that one's words can lead to one's downfall," he added in his speech after Friday prayers.

Sultan Ibrahim also stressed that he did not interfere in political matters.

Caution against vested interests

Tengku Putra, on the other hand, courted flak from the sultan when he commented that Tunku Ismail's warning to politicians attempting to get close to his father and counsel him for personal interests should also apply to business tycoons in the state.

The prince's remark came in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Zahid Hamidi's audience with the sultan and his claim that the ruler believes Umno is the only party which can unite the Malays.

Though Zahid said the sultan did not express this in words, he believes the monarch is counting on Umno.

However, Tunku Ismail (photo) responded by saying he does not support any political party, except true and honest leaders.

Following this, the Kempas assemblyperson, in a blog post, stated: "We highly respect the stand taken by his royal highness the crown prince of Johor and the caution to those who seek to become friends or be close with his royal highness the sultan for personal gains or political capital.

"As we are in no position whatsoever to speak on his royal highness' behalf, we hope that his royal highness (Tunku Ismail) caution applies not only to the politicians but also to the unscrupulous businessmen with the intent of 'printing money' in fast track motion in this robust and fast developing economy of the great state of Johor, who do not observe the sensitivities and the well-being of the rakyat, namely the Malays."