“Tough times ahead for you when Johor ruler becomes Agong next year,” TMJ warns Anwar
JOHOR crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that tough times are expected under the reign of his father Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar when His Majesty ascends the throne to become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in January next year.
Tunku Ismail, better known as TMJ, said his father is more of a hands-on ruler when it comes to deciding what is best for the people in terms of economy and stability.
“For example, whatever decisions made by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi must be verified by the Johor Sultan,” TMJ said during the Keluar Sekejap podcast which aired last night (Oct 29).
The Keluar Sekejap podcast is hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.
“He (Sultan Ibrahim) will give his sincere opinion [on the matter], where priority is given to the state of Johor.
“I think he will do the same thing at Federal level. He will be actively involved in maintaining a rapport with the Prime Minister and sharing input between what he thinks is right and what he thinks is not.
“He would want [to get things done] and not just make plans,” TMJ said, adding that his father will be a no-nonsense, understanding but strict ruler.
TMJ further concurred with Khairy that Sultan Ibrahim being a very detail-oriented leader who had vast knowledge in various matters including agriculture, aeronautical weapons, development, and even military.
TMJ said that the Sultan Ibrahim also understood the system, which he believes the government should be wary of.
The Sultan of Johor has been elected as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term, effective Jan 31, 2024.
Sultan Ibrahim will replace Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah whose reign will end on Jan 30 next year.
At the same time, TMJ said Anwar must execute more and make more decisions.
“I don’t think he has a good team. I think he has the intention to do something. Of course, he wants to see the country do well, that’s for sure. But I think he should be braver in making decisions as you can’t appease all parties.
“And sometimes if you are being hated for making the correct decisions for the country, you have to bite the bullet,” TMJ added.
TMJ also agreed with Khairy’s views that with the government announcing numerous development blueprints such as Madani economy, Industrial Master Plan, and Energy Transition Roadmap, the focus would now turn to whether it could follow through.
“TMJ you yourself once said that a vision without execution is hallucination. It has been months now that the government has yet to appoint Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister after the passing of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub,” Khairy said.
“Maybe he is playing things too safe,” TMJ said in response. – Oct 30, 2023
Federal Constitution is not set up the same way as the Johor Constitution.
ReplyDeleteIt could lead to a Constitutional crisis if Johor tries to act as Agong the same way he handles Johor.
A bit of historical context.
ReplyDeleteJohore was an Unfederated Malay State prior to joining Malaya. The Sultan had considerably more powers vis the British "Adviser" compared to the Federated Malay States.
Parts of the Sultan's Reserve Powers and Rights have carried over into the current Johor Constitution.
The Malaysian Federal Constitution is written very differently, and the Prime Minister has considerably more power and his "Advice" is in most cases ( with important exceptions) binding on the Agong.