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    15 June 2012| last updated at 01:55AM

    Mind your own business, Johor ruler tells critic

    By SIM BAK HENG AND JASSMINE SHADIQE | news@nst.com.my

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    UPSET: Politician should have checked before making statement about WWW 1, says sultan

    JOHOR BARU: AN unhappy Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar yesterday lashed out at Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, saying he should mind his own business.

    Even though the ruler did not name the former Perak menteri besar, he referred to the latter as the politician who had criticised him for “bidding for a registration number from the Road Transport Department”.

    The sultan said some politicians were desperate to show off their wisdom and criticised him without first ascertaining the truth.

    Using idioms to deliver his message, Sultan Ibrahim said it was crucial for the people’s representatives and community leaders to be mindful of their customs, behaviour and statements, quoting the Malay saying “cakap siang pandang-pandang, cakap malam dengar-dengar” (look at your surroundings before talking).

    “Lately, there was a politician who openly criticised me for bidding for a plate number from the Road Transport Department. Has he forgotten Malay customs? Or is he the type who is destitute of wit and is shallow-minded?

    “Do not pretend to be full of wit when you are not. Do not utter any statement at your whim when you do not know the truth. Isn’t it better to keep your mouth shut than to speak nonsense?

    “Whatever I have done, I have always followed the right way and procedure. Whatever charitable work I have done, it needs no exaggeration.”

    Sultan Ibrahim said this when opening the 12th Johor legislative assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.

    Nizar had incurred the ruler’s wrath when the former, in a tweet, criticised the latter for buying the WWW 1 vehicle registration number for RM520,000.

    His statement had caused anger among the people of Johor.

    More than 30,000 pledged their loyalty to the ruler at a Perhimpunan Ikrar Taat Setia gathering at Istana Pasir Pelangi on Sunday.

    Sultan Ibrahim also thanked non-governmental organisations and the people of Johor for pledging their loyalty to him and showing their support through the gathering.

    On Nizar’s offer of seeking an audience with him to apologise, the ruler said: “If he wants to apologise, apologise to the people of Johor, and not to me as an individual. As the saying goes, ‘terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata buruk padahnya’ (words, once said, cannot be taken back).”

    Speaking to the New Straits Times later, Sultan Ibrahim said he had yet to receive any letter from Nizar seeking an audience. “If I receive the letter, I will pass it to the Johor Council of Royal Court, and let it decide. I take advice from the royal court when it comes to protocol,” he said at Istana Pasir Pelangi yesterday.

    The ruler said he had gone through the proper channel in obtaining the highly sought-after vehicle registration number.

    “I am proud I won the bid. It would have been unfair if I had asked it for free. It would have put the Road  Transport Department in a  difficult position, as I believe many wanted it.

    “The government made the right choice to tender it (the vehicle registration number) out.

    “It (winning the bid) should have never been made an issue, and now that WWW 1 is mine, and fitted on my Proton Satria Neo, the issue is over. After all, the money goes back to the people.”

    Earlier, the sultan expressed concern that there were parties attempting to split  the people  for political gain.

    Sultan Ibrahim said these parties went to the extent of spreading lies, instigating the people to hate the monarchy and raising sensitive issues about race and religion.

    “These were done with the hope of creating hatred and destroying the peace and harmony in the country.

    “Despite this, I believe the people of  Johor are smart and will not fall prey to the empty promises made by these musang yang berbulu ayam (a wolf in sheep’s clothing).”

    Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar delivering his message at the 12th Johor legislative assembly in Kota Iskandar yesterday. Pic by Hairul Aunar Rahim

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