TMJ made ‘uncomfortable demands’, says Syed Saddiq

Timothy Achariam Timothy Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 23 Apr 2019 7:43PM · 12 Comments

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman says Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim had demanded that a boxing match featuring Manny Pacquiao be cancelled at the last minute and he had to explain to the royal that it could not be scrapped. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 23, 2019.

YOUTH and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Syed Abdul Rahman revealed today that the breakdown of his relationship with Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim was because the latter had made “uncomfortable demands” on him.

Syed Saddiq said one such demand was to cancel, at the last minute, the Manny Pacquiao vs Lucas Matthysse fight in Kuala Lumpur which took place on July 15 last year.

“There were specific demands and orders for it (the fight) to be cancelled, ask the organisers, ask Pacquiao himself,” Syed Saddiq said.

He said Sports Commissioner Zaiton Othman and himself had sought an audience with the crown prime, popularly known as TMJ, to explain that they could not cancel the fight.

“Zaiton and myself went to see him. We had to be courteous and explain.

“There were some things which happened. Some things which I simply could not defend. So then the situation didn’t go that well,” he said.

He explained that the cancellation of the fight would have caused a diplomatic crisis with the Philippines.

“The demands for the last minute cancellation would’ve caused a diplomatic issue because six ministers including the president of the Philippines came over (to watch the fight),” he said at a press conference at the Youth and Sports Ministry today.

“Tens of millions of dollars in investments would have been lost because it was aired to more than 100 channels live worldwide,” he said.

Syed Saddiq said his relationship with TMJ had not always been this frayed, adding that they were “especially close” to each other until he decided to contest in the 14th general election for the Muar parliamentary seat.

“He was someone who I was close to, especially close, before the elections. But he made specific demands before the elections which I could not fulfil.

“These demands are political in nature which made me feel immensely uncomfortable.”

Syed Saddiq also revealed that prior to the elections, TMJ had released a Facebook statement urging Johoreans and Malaysians to continue supporting the then Umno/BN government on the night he announced his candidacy for Muar MP.

“If you notice the day where I announced my candidacy in Muar was the day he released the open letter asking Johoreans and Malaysians to not change ship and to stick with Umno/BN.”

Syed Saddiq said that he had stuck firm to his beliefs and principles because he will lose himself as a politician.

“My duty and the reason why I joined politics was to clean up Malaysia and clean politics up and to ensure youth interests are upheld,” he said.

“While there are those that don’t agree, I still humbly respect him as the future ruler of Johor but the disagreements we have will be there. In the end the rakyat and people will forever be my priority,” he said. – April 23, 2019.

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Comments

  • Let the elected leaders rule this country in peace and don't create unnecessary tension.

    Posted 7 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • You are the minister, you decide lah.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Very well said Yb . You don't have to worry the rakyat is with you. I must admire for your guts to be straight with TMJ.

    Posted 7 years ago by Dato Radha · Reply

  • Good that you stood up to that guy.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • A good stand. We are not living in feudal times anymore. If TMJ wants to have a say in the running of the country, he would be well advised to become a commoner and stand for elections.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Is that amounted to obstruction of the country's administration?

    Posted 7 years ago by Chean Ang Heng · Reply

  • well done..

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Well done YB ! You are an ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE!!! Unlike ....

    Posted 7 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • We respect and salute you Syed for standing against.... you know who

    Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • The Rakyat are no longer blinded. Look at the tremendous support for our beloved Prime Minister TDM starting from the victorious night of GE14. Question is whether whoever leads the country in future has the same guts, intelligence and common sense as TDM in dealing with difficult people.

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • A prince born with a silver spoon doesn't know what normal life is. He thinks that he holds the power of everything and abuses it. Stop the BS, and just enjoy all your million $$ toys, which is mostly the rakyats money or grabbed land.

    Posted 7 years ago by Frankie Tan · Reply

  • Since TMJ wants to have a say for things that the federal government are doing, we strongly suggest for TMJ to participate in the next general election or by election should any seat fell vacant. Trying to sway a decision of a minister is un-becoming and un-democratic, you may do so within the palace compound or perhaps in the state of Johor, so what say you TMJ ready to contest after all what is there stopping you, you have the funds, you have the topic to shout at, you have the RAKYAT issues at heart, unwavering character with good looks, I say go for it if you dare.

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply