According to a report by Focus Malaysia on Oct 30, Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim did not mince words when he warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that he could face “tough times” when his father Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar ascends the throne to become the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) in January 2024.
The reigning Sultan of Johor has been elected as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term, effective Jan 31, 2024; His Majesty will replace the affable and popular Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah whose reign will end on Jan 30 next year.
Tunku Ismail, better known as TMJ, said his father is more of a “hands-on” ruler when it comes to deciding what is best for the people in terms of economy and stability; so much so, even whatever decisions made by the current Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is first verified by the Johor Sultan!
TMJ said this during the Keluar Sekejap podcast which aired recently on Oct 29 hosted by ex-Umno stalwarts Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.
He added that the incoming YDPA will be actively involved in maintaining rapport with the Prime Minister and sharing input between what he thinks is right and what he thinks is not; he will give his sincere opinion on matters (affecting the rakyat).
TMJ said that his father will be a no-nonsense, understanding but strict ruler, who will want to get things done - not just make plans.
Sultan Ibrahim is also a very meticulous leader with vast knowledge in various matters including agriculture, aeronautical weapons, development, and even military; he also understands the government system well.
Meanwhile TMJ opined that Anwar needs a better team and that he must execute more and make more decisions; he should also be braver in making decisions and be ready to bite the bullet if need to! (Read here)
Additionally, Sultan Ibrahim is also known to demand good manners and good behaviour from his Johor state assemblymen regardless of their political affiliation.
In fact, in 2018 NST had reported that Sultan Ibrahim didn't want the state assembly sitting to be turned into a ‘circus’; he expected the Speaker to ensure that the debates are done in a respectful and orderly manner.
His Majesty also reminded that all assemblymen must practise openness and listen to the views of others, instead of rejecting ideas that were not in line with their personal and political desires.
He added that if any assemblyman acts beyond the limit and violates the Standing Orders, then he or she will be asked to leave the assembly sitting!
And now, as he prepares to assume the role of YDPA, there is no doubt that he would expect decorum and good manners to prevail in the country's Parliament too, which appears to have turned into some sort of circus lately, with all sorts of name calling and rude behaviour disrupting proceedings.
Anyway, it would be interesting to see how the unity government and opposition MPs behave in the Dewan Rakyat next year: will any MP dare to say demeaning things like "you can come naked to Langkawi'' to a female MP?
Or will any MP dare to shout "shut up" at a fellow MP then refuse to apologize, as Shahidan Kassim, the lawmaker from PAS was reported to have done in Parliament recently?
In fact, the ruling unity government MPs also need to be watchful, as their words and their performance is sure to come under close scrutiny by His Majesty!
Indeed, come January 2024, everyone may have to be very careful, while the usual “trouble-makers” may have to be extra careful with their behaviour - both inside and outside the Parliament. No one messes around with Sultan Ibrahim.
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