JOHOR’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has urged the people not to politicise his recent criticism of the poor condition at low-cost flats in the state.

He said he felt compelled to bring the matter to the attention of Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming as local authorities and the state government were being blamed.

“There is nothing political about this. Don’t turn this into a political issue,” he said in a Facebook post.

He said he appreciated Nga’s visit to the sites to discuss the problem.

Earlier, a video clip went viral of the ruler criticising the poor condition and lack of cleanliness at low-cost flats in Johor.

In the clip, the ruler is seen telling Nga of his displeasure with the situation after granting the minister an audience at Istana Bukit Serene, Johor Baru.

Also present were Nga’s deputy, Akmal Nasir, and Johor housing and local government exco Jafni Shukor.

Sultan Ibrahim also took waste management concessionaire, SWM Environment Sdn Bhd, to task, saying its service – for which the state government pays RM180 million per year – is unsatisfactory.

The ruler said the situation is not new. 

“Previous governments knew about the terrible condition of the low-cost flats, but they did nothing.

“It is really unfortunate that the unity government has to sort out this mess now,” he said. – May 17, 2023.