‘THE RULER IS THE PEOPLE & THE PEOPLE ARE THE RULERS’: NETIZENS PUT JOHOR PRINCE IN HIS PLACE – ‘DON’T FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FAMILY’S BUSINESS EMPIRE PLAY POLITICS WITH OUR FUTURE’

In a thinly-veiled criticism of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad posted on Facebook last night, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had urged the people of the state not to be fooled by a “forked-tongue” individual.

However, an overwhelming number of netizens disagreed.

A few chose to be blunt despite the possible ramifications, but the majority were polite in reminding the crown prince that as a constitutional monarchy, the royals should not appear to be taking sides in a political contest.

The netizens also described Tunku Ismail’s grievances with the former premier as personal.

According to Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong, BN strategists had hoped that the Johor people’s faith and trust in the palace could help BN.

“But I feel that based on the responses we read (to the crown prince’s post), perhaps the support for the palace cannot be transferred to Johor BN,” he told reporters after a walkabout in Yong Peng, Ayer Hitam.

He is slated to challenge MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong in Ayer Hitam.

Liew was asked if the crown prince’s remarks would place a hurdle with regard to Pakatan Harapan’s grand plan of capturing Johor – which is the birthplace of Umno – in the coming general election.

The DAP lawmaker also recalled the slogan of Umno’s founder Onn Jaar in 1946, “raja adalah rakyat, rakyat adalah raja.” (The ruler is the people, the people are the rulers).

“In Malaysian history, people power has always been important.

“People and voter wisdom are the most important factors. The fact that Umno was formed during 1946 is a manifestation of people power in 1946. Umno was formed on ‘raja itu rakyat, rakyat itu raja‘,” he added.

Liew also claimed that since the 1MDB scandal erupted in 2015, various polls had revealed that support for the BN government among Johoreans had dropped.

“The important issues for Harapan in Johor is (caretaker prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak, the cost of living and the economy.

“Johor BN might attempt to separate the state from the central government. Johor BN would not mention Najib’s name. Najib’s name is toxic and poisonous for Johor voters,” he added.

– M’kini