Johor prince gets reminder of royalty’s place
He should keep out of politics otherwise…we’ll whack him, says Nazri about Tunku Mahkota
(Free Malaysia Today) – Johor’s crown prince was given a reminder today about royalty’s place in public affairs, with former law minister Nazri Aziz threatening “we’ll whack him”.
Nazri, now tourism minister, had been asked for his view of critical remarks about the prime minister, Najib Razak, by Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim recently.
“Rulers and royal families are above the law (and therefore should not interfere in politics). If he (the crown prince) wants to be a politician, then say so. Then we can answer back,” he said, in remarks quoted by Malaysiakini.
“If you hold an important post as royalty in the state, and if you start to say things, if then we (the government) hit you back, don’t get angry,” he said at a press conference at the University of Malaya today.
“I think he should keep out of politics, otherwise he may be subjected to the same rule. We will whack him,” Nazri was quoted as saying.
The Johor prince, popular known as TMJ, had made a posting on Facebook post which ridiculed Najib non-appearance at the Nothing2Hide forum a week ago, at which he was scheduled to answer public criticisms about the government’s handling of the troubled investment company 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
“If you start to meddle in politics, then we will question you, then there will be no more respect for the royalty,” Nazri said. “I hope you keep out of politics. We are the ones who are protecting the royalty.”
Tunku Ismail had said: “How can you have a dialogue called ‘Nothing2Hide’ featuring a person who has everything to hide? Obviously he won’t show up,” he said.
