I’ll continue to speak up, says Johor Crown Prince

The Johor Crown Prince coming out to greet the people.

JOHOR BARU: “I will continue to voice out for the people of Johor,” said Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. 

The Johor Crown Prince said he would always uphold the supremacy of the state to ensure the peace and harmony of Johoreans. 

"Thank you for all your support. I do not want to speak much, as there are people in Putrajaya who want to whack me," he told the crowd outside the palace gates here on Tuesday.

"As my father always advise me, I am a humble servant of Johor," he added. 

Earlier, the crowd cheered aloud as the Johor Crown Prince made an appearance at a royalty rally. 

Hundreds of Johoreans turned up at the Bukit Serene palace here chanting "Daulat Tuanku" as the prince, accompanied by his wife and siblings, came out to address the people. 

Members of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also gathered in front of the palace to show their love and support for the Johor royalty.

Supporters called for Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz to step down from his position for making rude statements against the royal family.

The groups also submitted a memorandum to palace officials.

The crowd also sang the Johor state anthem before the royal family made their way back into the palace grounds.

They dispersed around 5.30pm.

On Saturday, Nazri criticised Tunku Ismail, saying that the prince should stay out of politics unless he wanted to be subjected to the same rule and be "whacked".

Nazri said this in response to a post made by the prince on June 5, criticising Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for not attending an open dialogue session organised by an NGO to discuss national issues.

Tunku Ismail immediately responded through a video post on Johor Southern Tigers where he turned to the camera and made a beckoning gesture with his left hand, implying he was not afraid to face any challenge.

On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Nazri would be investigated under Section 505B of the Penal Code for his remark against Tunku Ismail, which could cause alarm to the public.

On the same day, Tunku Ismail told Nazri in another post that "he is not a God from the heavens who lords above everybody".