Stop making statements prejudiced against the gov't, TMJ told

A Bersatu Youth exco member has urged Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to stop issuing statements that allegedly disrupt the country's political stability.

In a statement today, Muzzammil Ismail said Tunku Ismail, and even the rulers, should respect the choice of government made by the people in the last general election.

"It is worrying to witness, as a rakyat, TMJ's (Tunku Ismail's) tiff with (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad, bordering on political interests. It creates polemics, which benefit no one.

"As the heir to the (Johor) throne, TMJ is still bound and subjected to provisions in the Federal Constitution. The same applies to the appointed sultans, and even the King.

"They should respect the people's choice made during the election. The royal institution is an important stakeholder in giving life to a country's democracy," he said.

"Therefore, I would like to urge TMJ to be understanding and to stop creating prejudice via statements that can disturb the country's political stability. I believe that the government and the rakyat will undividedly and loyally defend the royal institution," Muzzammil added.

This comes following a video of Tunku Ismail saying that the prime minister should be changed.

In the video, Tunku Ismail is seen leaving the Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, Johor, after football club Johor Darul Ta'zim's (JDT) 0-1 defeat by Shandong Luneng in the AFC Champions League last Wednesday night.

As the prince's black sports utility vehicle was driven off, fans along the road chanted "Hidup TMJ" but one shouted "change Mora", in reference to JDT's coach Benjamin Mora.

The vehicle which was ferrying Tunku Ismail then suddenly stopped and the crown prince, who was in the front passenger seat, stuck his head out of the window and said: "Instead of changing Mora, it's better to change the prime minister". This courted laughter from the fans. Tunku Ismail is the owner of JDT.

Mahathir had responded to Tunku Ismail's remark, saying only the rakyat can decide to change the prime minister.

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman yesterday came to Mahathir's defence, asking why Tunku Ismail did not call for Najib Abdul Razak to be replaced as prime minister when the country was branded as a kleptocracy under Najib's leadership.

Following Syed Saddiq's statement, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa defended the Johor palace, saying the Johor sultanate had been championing the people for centuries, compared to the greenhorn minister.