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24 March 2016

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Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has clarified his remarks regarding the 1992 constitutional crisis do not indicate he is siding with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He also denied that his statements were directed at former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Responding to a question posed by a journalist on the matter, he said: “Please read carefully what I had said. The comments I made earlier was directed to the federal government.”

Tunku Ismail said he made the comments to ensure and remind the federal government that this doesn’t happen again regardless of who the head is.

“It wasn’t directed to Mahathir or to anyone. It was directed to the system.

“I don’t support anyone who is corrupted. I would also like to remind people in the media not to twist my words or take my statement out of context,” he added in the Facebook posting.

Quizzed on whose side he is on with regard to the ongoing political feud between Mahathir and Najib, the prince replied: “Johor”.

Yesterday, Tunku Ismail, in a Facebook post, recalled the “dark history” of 1992 and the manner in which his family members were treated.

“I remember things such as trying to disband the Johor military force, Johor exco members were told not to receive my late grandfather at the airport, how JKR (Public Works Department) was told not to fix and maintain anything at any of the Johor palaces.

“My mother was even stopped by the Malaysian customs upon entering Johor from Singapore. She was told to step out of the car because they wanted to inspect everything in the car. I still remember everything and I still remember the individuals responsible for it,” he said.

The prince then went on to state that the relationship between the government and Johor royal family is good at present.

“I appreciate that. I hope it’s not just because you need us now. It’s good you realise we need each other.

“But I think at this time the focus should be to correct the mistakes and progress as a nation. I hope such dark history you created for your thirst of greed and power will not happen again,” he added.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/335074

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Malaysiakini

I too remember 1992 crisis, late coach’s son responds to prince

The son of hockey coach Douglas Gomez, who was reportedly assaulted by then Johor ruler Sultan Iskandar in 1992, described the period as when the people of Malaysia rose to defend his late father.

“I still remember, in the midst of the struggle between two giants, the common rakyat was the one who stood up and brightened the way,” Brian wrote in a Facebook post last night.
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Brian, in his posting, said he still remembers when his father came home from the palace with a black eye.

“I still remember his story about what happened in the palace and to whom the hand which caused the black eye belonged to,” he said.

For months after that incident, he recalled that his father had become a pawn for those who were “elected to power and those who were born to power”.

Brian said he remembers how the family received hundreds of letters of support from Malaysians from every layer of society.

“I still remember taxi drivers in Johor Bahru who, for years, refused to accept any taxi fees from my father,” he added.

That was when he realised that the true power does not lie with the “powers that be”, but that it lies in the human instinct that can differentiate between right and wrong.

“It exists in bravery, in self-confidence and the right of every individual to question the status quo.

“The real power belongs to the rakyat,” he said.

In 1992, when the Malaysian Hockey Federation slapped Tunku Abdul Majid with a five-year ban for hitting the goalkeeper of the Perak hockey team after it defeated his Johor team, his late father, Sultan Iskandar, was enraged and apparently pressured the state education department to order school hockey teams in the state to boycott national tournaments.

This had upset Douglas, who criticised the education department and called for the resignation of key office bearers in the Johor Hockey Association, which incurred the wrath of the late ruler.

Following this, a special parliamentary session was held in December 1992 which saw the passing of a resolution to curb the powers of the rulers if necessary.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/335064

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23 March 2016

Crown prince recalls ‘dark history’ of 1992 under Mahathir

Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has recalled the incidents which transpired in 1992 during the tenure of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and reminded the government not to repeat such greed-driven episodes .

“I will never forget the 1992 constitutional crisis. I still remember how my family was treated by federal government officers.

“I remember things such as trying to disband the Johor military force, Johor exco members were told not to receive my late grandfather at the airport, how JKR (Public Works Department) was told not to fix and maintain anything at any of the Johor palaces.

“My mother was even stopped by the Malaysian customs upon entering Johor from Singapore. She was told to step out of the car because they wanted to inspect everything in the car. I still remember everything and I still remember the individuals responsible for it,” he said in a Facebook posting.

The 31-year-old prince was eight when a special parliamentary session was held in December 1992 which saw the passing of a resolution to curb the powers of the rulers if necessary.

This was sparked off by two assault incidents involving the Johor royalty.
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Meanwhile, Tunku Ismail said the 1992 episode is in the past, but went on to add that “God is great and karma is a beautiful thing.”

“Today, the relationship between the government and Johor royal family is good. I appreciate that. I hope it’s not just because you need us now. It’s good you realise we need each other.

“But I think at this time the focus should be to correct the mistakes and progress as a nation. I hope such dark history you created for your thirst of greed and power will not happen again.

“I pray that we can focus on making this nation of ours a better place in the future, for the sake of the people,” he added.

The crown prince also told Johoreans that the sultan and the royal family loves them and reminded his subjects that their strength is unity.

“I love you. I’m born to serve you till the day I die and that is my responsibility. My priority is to uphold your rights as Johoreans, and your welfare.

“Remember this always. The strength of Johor’s sovereignty is unity. Always remain united as Johoreans so no one can push us around.

“We decide what’s good for us. This is our home, this is our state. It is our responsibility to protect Johor’s rights and its sovereignty,” he said.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/334934

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