Veteran journo and Johor crown prince in war of words

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 11 Sep 2018 11:25PM · 6 Comments

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim is engaging in a war of words with veteran journalist A. Kadir Jasin over the allegation that the Johor royal family's social media activity is being monitored by the government. – Facebook pic, September 11, 2018.

A WAR of words has broken out between the Johor crown prince and veteran newsman A. Kadir Jasin after the latter warned that royals who stray into the political arena may get clobbered.

Kadir took to his blog earlier today, and without naming anyone, commented on the issue of a crown prince and his father who were being allegedly monitored by the new Pakatan Harapan government.

The former editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times said the royals should worry about being dragged through the mud instead of being monitored for making “partisan” statements.

“The concern is about them straying into the political arena where they may get clobbered, their immunity questioned and their status lowered.

“Anybody who plays politics must be prepared to be treated like a politician, more so when he or she takes to the media – social and formal – to air partisan views,” Kadir had posted.

Kadir was believed to be referring to allegations made by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim last Sunday that he and his father, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, were being monitored by the government.

Veteran journalist A. Kadir Jasin says that the royals can no longer expect a free pass to make open 'partisan' statements under the new government. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 11, 2018.

Hours after Kadir’s blogpost, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, popularly known as TMJ, took to his Facebook page and said speaking out against wrongs, regardless of consequence, is a leader’s duty and it is the only way to avoid past mistakes.

“Whether we are ‘whacked’ or ‘clobbered’ means little to me. What does matter to me are my people,” the Johor crown prince posted on his Facebook page.

“My status comes from my service to the rakyat and I consider speaking the truth one of my duties.

“To this writer I say, do not concern yourself with my ‘status’. I will be just fine.”

TMJ was clearly rebutting Kadir who had said that the royals no longer have a free pass to make partisan statements.

The crown prince added that he was not speaking out against the government, but pointed out that if the royals could be spied upon, what more the common folk.

“My words have not always been easy to swallow. But I have always had the country’s best interest in mind.

“Malaysia Baru will need more leaders who are not afraid to speak the truth. It is the only way to avoid our past mistakes,” TMJ posted.

In his blogpost, Kadir had also reminded the crown prince that having an online presence automatically means being monitored, even if those doing the monitoring may not be local authorities.

The police have denied spying on the Johor royal family and Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun is seeking an audience with Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar over the matter. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 11, 2018.

The government and the police have both denied spying on the royals, with Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun now seeking an audience with the Johor ruler over the matter.

This is not the first time Kadir had ruffled royal feathers.

Three months ago, police reports were lodged against him after he had commented on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s alleged lavish spendings.

Kadir was then forced to resign as spokesman of the powerful Council of Eminent Persons. – September 11, 2018.

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Comments

  • Is it okay to cut deals with kleptocrats?

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Remember the advice? Change the captain if you have to but do not change the ship....

    Posted 5 years ago by Ramli Sirap · Reply

  • Raja dil, Raja diSembah.......Raja zalim Raja diSanggah..........

    Posted 5 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply

  • If you are certain that your communications are being monitored, just lodge a police report. Let PDRM investigate. In the meantime please shut up.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mohammad Badry · Reply

  • PDRM should not lower their status and trust given to them by the people. Its totally unnecessary for Fuzi to seek audience. Its the duty of the police force to maintain harmony that the country enjoys. ANYONE can be monitored if its warrented. If theres no wrong done, no need to be restless.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mohamed Ebrahim Mohideen · Reply

  • FB or other social postings are read by the World at Large. Everyone who is interested, to click on, is monitoring. What's the fuss.

    Posted 5 years ago by Robert Phang · Reply