Johor palace restates significance of 'Muafakat itu berkat'

The Johor palace has reiterated the importance of its 'Muafakat itu Berkat' (Concord is a blessing) slogan, which is enshrined in the Johor constitution.

The previous BN-led state government had incorporated this into its own slogan 'Muafakat Johor.'

However, newly-minted Pakatan Harapan Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian said last Saturday he planned to change the BN slogan to 'Harapan Johor.'

Today, Johor royal court council president Abdul Rahim Ramli said in a statement that the 'Muafakat itu Berkat' slogan will endure, though making no direct reference to Osman.

"The call of ‘Muafakat itu berkat’ was strengthened and immortalised under Clause 61 of the first section of the Johor State Constitution, which ensures the slogan endures and be maintained without being changed or altered," he said.

The statement was posted on Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page. It was also shared by the official Facebook page of state ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Rahim also spoke about the role of Sultan Abu Bakar, the father of modern Johor who introduced wide-ranging reforms in the state.

"This new modern governance system and a strong unity among the people were respected by the British who could not find a way to put Johor under their rule.

"Sultan Abu Bakar created the slogan ‘Muafakat itu berkat' as a policy to reaffirm the unity and cooperation of the people.

"The slogan is also engraved on the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati medal which was inspired by His Majesty in 1885," he said.

Abdul Rahim noted that the then sultan had in 1895 enacted laws and regulations for the government that fended off the British's ambitions to conquer Johor, and succeeded in defending the state's sovereignty for the next 30 years. -Mkini