Sultan wants all Johoreans to unite

One for the album: Sultan Ibrahim receiving a memento from the local Chinese community leaders during the dinner in Johor. Looking on is Tee (third from right).

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar says the people in the state should be united and not be divided by ideology or political affiliation.

He said he wanted the people to be loyal to him, obey the law, be courteous and respect each other.

“We are all Johoreans. We must unite regardless of whether we are Malay, Chinese or Indian,” he said during a dinner with the Chinese community on Sunday, in conjunction with his recent coronation.

Sultan Ibrahim also paid tribute to the Chinese community, which had been in the state for 200 years.

He gave the early Chinese settlers credit for helping to develop the state, including opening up vast tracks of land for gambier and pepper plantations.

The Ruler said Johor had always been a developing state, adding that it should be an example to other states.

“I am confident that if we are all united and there is political and economical stability, the government will be able to carry out economic development for the people.”

Sultan Ibrahim stressed on the importance for all parties to sit down together to resolve issues and not resort to action, which was against the law.

“The religious and racial harmony which we have needs to be safe-guarded. We should not stir up sensitive issues which can threaten our happiness,” he added.

During his speech, he also announced a donation of RM1mil for the setting up of a Sultanah Fatimah Foundation to help the needy.

Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the Chinese community believed in the Ruler’s leadership.

He said funds from the foundation would be used to help the underprivileged, especially orphans, single mothers, the handicapped and senior citizens.

Tee said in addition to the RM1mil contribution from the Johor Ruler, other donors also chipped in, bringing the entire fund to RM2.68mil.

He said the foundation’s name was meaningful because Sultanah Fatimah was Sultan Abu Bakar’s consort of Chinese descent.