MAHATHIR GIVES TMJ THE ULTIMATE SLAP IN THE FACE: YOU THINK YOU ARE BIG BUT YOU ARE ACTUALLY SMALL – EVEN CROWN PRINCES CAN BE REPLACED BUT ONLY THE PEOPLE CAN CHANGE THE PRIME MINISTER

ONLY the people, and not the Malay royals, have the power to change the prime minister through democratic means, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.

He said this in reference to Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s remarks on Wednesday that the prime minister should be replaced.

Dr Mahathir also reminded Tunku Ismail – better known as TMJ (Tengku Mahkota Johor) – that history has shown his own position as the crown prince can be changed.

“We still remember that previously we had crown princes replaced.

“So, even the crown prince can be replaced. As for the prime minister, only the people can change that. 

“He thinks he is big but he is actually small. If he can vote, then topple me through the ballot box,” the prime minister said in his press conference in Beijing.

On Wednesday night, the crown prince was caught on video saying that the prime minister should be replaced when some Johor Darul Ta’zim football club supporters had urged Tunku Ismail to replace the team’s coach Benjamin Mora.

“Instead of changing Mora, it’s better to change the prime minister,” Tunku Ismail had said.

The crown prince and the prime minister had been involved in a war of words for several months now.

Most recently, the Johor palace and Dr Mahathir had exchanged words over the appointment of new Johor menteri besar and state exco.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT