Johor ruler takes a swipe at 'amnesiac, perhaps a little senile' politician

Without mentioning names, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar launched an obvious broadside against former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Sultan Ibrahim unleashed the salvo in Bukit Kepong, which falls under the Pagoh parliamentary constituency of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Muhyiddin Yassin, when officiating an event this morning.

The ruler noted how a particular politician who used to accuse others of being "mudah lupa" (having a short-term memory) is himself now suffering from amnesiac spells.

"Perhaps this outsider has forgotten that his era has ended. Previously, he always teased the Malays as 'mudah lupa'. But today, he is showing the same trait.

"Previously, he said the opposition was his arch enemy, but now he can sit with them at the same table and be good friends. Previously, he said the Western media cooked up stories, but now, he says their stories are factual.

"So if he is not a 'pelupa' (someone with short-term memory), perhaps he is a little senile due to the age factor," Sultan Ibrahim said.

Therefore, the ruler advised this "outsider" not to meddle in the affairs of others.

"My advice to him is 'enough'. This world has day and night, it cannot be daytime all the time," he said.

Citing a Malay saying which uses one's clothing to emphasise against interfering in other people's affairs, the sultan said: "Jangan sibuk tepi kain orang. Lebih baik betulkan kain sendiri yang telah reput dan koyak (Don't look at others, better to mend your own clothes, which are torn and tattered)."

And he added: "Or, as people say, 'The best business you can have today is mind your own business'."

Based on his remarks, Sultan Iskandar also appeared to target Muhyiddin, who was once menteri besar of Johor.

The ruler said the current state administration under Menteri Besar Khalid Nordin was more prosperous compared to the past.

"Look at what we have achieved, compared to 10 or 20 years ago. In the past, the state government did not have money to pay the salary of civil servants...

"This is because I have a good relationship with the incumbent menteri besar, unlike the two previous menteris besar who were arrogant and only knew how to follow the federal government," he added.

Khaled became menteri besar in 2013 taking over from Abdul Ghani Othman. Prior to Abdul Ghani, Muhyiddin was the menteri besar.

However, Khaled and Muhyiddin were not present at the event.- Mkini