Sultan Ibrahim and Dr M agree to keep things 'frank, not hidden'

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has revealed that Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and him have agreed to be forthright with each other.

“I can communicate with him. We agreed to be frank, say things directly, not keep them hidden. He gave his views and I gave mine,” he told reporters at the Senai International Airport this evening.

Mahathir was asked on his relationship with the Johor palace, which appeared to be tense in the past.

Earlier, the prime minister had an audience with Sultan Ibrahim at the Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Bahru.

Following their hour-long meeting, the ruler drove Mahathir to the airport in a first generation Proton Saga.

Asked about what was discussed with the ruler, Mahathir said it pertained to "problems" currently faced by the country. 

"I told the views of the rakyat of him, and he accepted it. And we agreed that in the future, if I have a problem, I can contact Tuanku," he said, further dubbing the meeting as "normal". 

On whether the discussion had touched on the appointment of the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Mahathir said: "That concerns the rulers, (it) has nothing to do with me."

The premier further revealed that the last time he met Sultan Ibrahim was about 20 years ago, after he had resigned as the prime minister for the first time. 

Mahathir's meeting with Sultan Ibrahim had led to speculation that it could be related to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong position following the announcement over the weekend that Kelantan ruler Sultan Muhammad V had stepped down.

An official from the Prime Minister's Office, however, had denied this, telling Malaysiakiniyesterday that the Johor ruler had requested for the meeting with Mahathir several weeks ago. 

According to the rotation list, Pahang ruler Sultan Ahmad Shah is the next in line followed by Sultan Ibrahim.

However, Sultan Ahmad Shah is ill and this led to speculation that the Conference of Rulers, which is to convene on Jan 24 to elect the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong, would pick the Johor ruler instead. - Mkini