Johor crown prince scoffs at '1Malaysia', moots 'Bangsa Johor' schools

Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has criticised Putrajaya's "1Malaysia" slogan, questioning whether it really promotes unity as claimed.

"I hope in the near future... the Johor government will introduce an education module for Johoreans. We'll make Bangsa Johor.

"Malaysia has it too - 1Malaysia. But answer me, where is 1Malaysia?

"You have Indian schools, you have Chinese schools, you have Malay schools. From young, you tell them not to be united.

"Then when they grow up, you tell them to be united?" he said in a dialogue session which was later uploaded on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.

Tunku Ismail said he envisioned a different direction for Johor's education system.

"In future, there will not be Indian, Chinese or Malay schools in Johor... There will only be Bangsa Johor schools.

"From a young age, we'll teach them how to be united, how to respect each other's religion and how to respect other races," he said.

However, he said religious schools would be retained for the purposes of the religion.

"You need to educate young Johoreans. They must know Johor's history. They must know the strengths of Johor and why the federal government needs us," he said.

Tunku Ismail went on to suggest that Johor should emulate the assertiveness of Sarawak.

"Look at Sarawak, Sarawak is smart, Sarawak is united. That is why when Sarawak rants something, the (federal) government has to listen.

"If there is no Sarawak, they would be gone. If there is no Johor, they would also be gone.

"This is the important part, when you (Johoreans) are united, the Johor government has more power and can speak up. It can do anything and they (the federal government) is forced to listen because they need our support," he said.

Who am I to intervene, asks prince amid appeals to pardon critic

Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has indicated he will not help his critics, who are facing criminal punishment or have landed in prison for insulting him.

Civil rights group had asked the Johor palace to pardon Muhammad Amirul Azwan Mohd Shakri, 19, after he was sentenced to a year in prison for insulting Tunku Ismail on matters related to football.

"The same people are asking me to release these individuals but you have made it clear that no one is above the law.

“Who am I to interfere with the police or the law?" said the prince in a Facebook statement.

Tunku Ismail pointed out that actions against his critics were not initiated by him but those who still "love the royal institution".

"There are people also saying that I have ordered their arrest but in reality, the police reports are made by the people of Johor who still love the royal institution.

"My question to them is - if they make the report, what does it have to do with me?" he asked.

Tunku Ismail also noted there were those trying to downplay the actions of the individuals who had insulted him.

"A few individuals have been arrested for insulting my good name. I have never bothered them.

"There are also certain quarters who are trying to twist facts by saying that these individuals are simply criticising and not insulting," he said.

However, Tunku Ismail said he did not care about this.

"Even though I am criticised or insulted, I could not care less and these people can continue with their wishes as I am grateful with the life Allah has given to me and the good will always prevail.

"To those who say that I cannot be criticised, I have been criticised since 2013 when I first took over the helm of Johor FA," he added.

Previously, the prince had asked the police not to arrest those who criticised him, saying that he would prefer if a face-to-face meeting could be arranged with his critics.

On June 7, Amirul pleaded guilty to 14 charges under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He was given the maximum sentence of one year in prison by the Johor Baru Sessions Court.

Johor sultan can pardon crown prince's critic, say lawyers

The Johor sultan has the power to pardon the teenager who was sentenced to jail for making rude remarks about Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, according to lawyers.

The power to pardon is provided under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, which states that the ruler of a state "has power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites in respect of all other offences committed in his state", they said.

"In light of Tunku Ismail's previous statement, it is apt that this case be considered for pardon," lawyer Eric Paulsen told Malaysiakini today.

Paulsen was referring to the crown prince's request that the police not arrest his critics and instead let them "say what they want to say" to his face.

Muhammad Amirul Azwan Mohd Shakri, 19, was on Tuesday sentenced to a year in jail by a Sessions Court in Johor Baru, after he pleaded guilty to 14 counts of making insulting comments with the intent to offend the Johor royalty.

This prompted civil societies and human rights lawyers to question why the teenager was given the maximum sentence and was not represented.

Lawyer New Sin Yew told Malaysiakini that while the Johor sultan could pardon Amirul, the teenager did not need to seek pardon right now.

"There's no need to seek pardon at this juncture. The boy can still appeal against the sentence.

"The Sessions Court judge was clearly wrong in his sentencing," he said.

Usually, New added, people only sought pardon when all avenues of appeal had been exhausted.

However, Paulsen said he did not think Article 42 of the Federal Constitution prevented an indivudual from applying for pardon even if he or she had not exhausted all appeals.

"Of course, the power of pardon is exercisable on advice of the Pardons Board, which may require exhaustion of appeal," he said.

Amirul was sentenced to jail for making the insulting comments on Facebook between March and April this year under the pseudonym 'Miyo Castello'.

At least three people have been arrested in the last two weeks for allegedly posting rude remarks against the crown prince.

Johor crown prince urged to intervene in critic's jailing

Student group Challenger has pleaded for Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to intervene in the jailing of Muhammad Amirul Azwan Mohd Shakri.

The 19-year-old is currently serving a one-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to 14 counts of intentionally insulting the crown prince.

He was charged and sentenced under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

In an open letter today, Challenger spokesperson Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahmad urged Tunku Ismail to show magnanimity.

“We seek your assent to forgive Muhammad Amirul and do everything in your power to secure his freedom, such as by pardoning him or lobbying against Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

“We seek your assent to prove to Malaysians once again you are a leader who does as he preaches.

“We seek your assent to once again show an example to Malaysian leaders by being the bigger and better person,” the letter said.

Syed Saddiq said the group did not deny Muhammad Amirul's actions were unwarranted.

But freedom of speech should not be restricted simply because it was considered offensive, he said.

Challenger also praised Tunku Ismail for having previously defended his critics and for urging the police not to arrest them.

The past few weeks have seen a spate of arrests and prosecution, with action being taken against at least four people for posting comments critical of Tunku Ismail on social media.

Muhammad Amirul, a labourer, was arrested on April 28 and sentenced to jail yesterday.

On May 31, police boarded a fishing boat at sea to arrest a 46-year-old who supposedly went by the Facebook handle ‘Minah Pendek’.

Just three days prior, police arrested a 23-year-old assistant chef in Dengkil over comments he allegedly posted on Facebook that disparaged Tunku Ismail.

On May 26, Pahang football fan Masyhur Abdullah, 29, was remanded to facilitate investigations into an image he allegedly posted under the Twitter handle @thekeluangman.

Many of the allegedly offensive remarks are believed to pertain to football, as Tunku Ismail is the owner of the Johor Darul Takzim football club.

All of them had either been investigated or charged under Section 233, which criminalises the ‘improper use’ of network facilities with the intent of annoying, abusing, or threatening another person.

Various rights groups and lawyers have criticised the law as being too broad.

Police action came despite Tunku Ismail’s statement on May 30 urging the police not to arrest his critics, but instead arrange face-to-face meetings with him.

“I would prefer it if the authorities can organise a meeting for me to meet with these people and give them the privilege of saying what they want to say to my face, man to man.

“I would appreciate it if you can agree to my humble proposal,” he said in a Facebook post.

‘You can’t change place of birth’

JOHOR BARU: A Johor leader has warned the people against falling victim to bogus agents who claim that they are able help people become Johoreans by helping them change their MyKad middle digits.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said it had come to his attention that these so-called agents asked for fees of between thousands and tens of thousands for such services.

Tee said the agents claimed that they know people who can help to change a person’s MyKad middle digits to 01, which represents those born in Johor.

He said there were some enqui­ries from people outside Johor such as Selangor and Kuala Lumpur asking him whether it was possible for them to change their MyKad number to become a Johorean.

“I urge everyone especially those who are from other states not to believe claims from people who offer this type of services because the middle digits in our MyKad serves to signify our place of birth and there is no way to change it.

“However, it does not stop us from welcoming those who want to settle down or do business in Johor.

“You can just move here without having to make any change to your MyKad, as long as you adhere to the Johor way,” he said yesterday.

Tee added that currently there were many people who were not born in Johor but now call the state home without having to make any change in their identification documents.

He believed the term Bangsa Jo­­hor, used to refer to those born in the state, and the introduction of the Johor Muafakat (Johor United) concept by the state government were what attracted many to become Johoreans.

Furthermore, he said, the state also enjoyed steady development, while people of various races live in harmony and had forged a stable and united relationship with each other.

Tell PM to remove Johor from M'sia: crown prince to envious lot

Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has never shied from speaking his mind, and in a latest Facebook posting, there is a message from him to those uncomfortable with the state being part of Malaysia.

".... You can all march down to Putrajaya and propose to the prime minister to remove the state of Johor from Malaysia," read the message.

The posting on the Southern Tigers Facebook page also cited a slew of reasons that fuelled disdain amongst some towards the state, including the absence of racism and its abhorrence for corruption.

Each point mentioned began with the words "Don't blame Johor".

"... We weren't built on the foundations of racism. We were built on the foundation that we are united and identified as one race that is Bangsa Johor.

".... Why are we proud of our leaders, because our leaders are always with us in good times and bad, when we're in joy or in pain.

"Why we don't like people who are corrupt? It's because we are brought up never to be as despicable as that."

The posting also pointed out that Johor had existed since 1885, well before 1957, when Malaya achieved its independence.

Apart from this, it also stated that Johoreans should not be blamed for holding their crown prince close to their hearts and outlined the differences between leaders in the state and elsewhere.

"Don't blame Johor and accuse us of being obsessed with the crown prince of Johor because we have witnessed for ourselves how he has always stood firmly by our side..

"Don't blame Johor or be envious of the relationship we have with our leaders because only he has been tirelessly brave enough to fight and guarantee our existence and welfare.

"Don't blame Johor if your leaders are not there with you. The difference between our leaders and yours is that our leaders were born to serve the people.

"Don't blame Johor if your leaders are not there with you when the country is plagued with integrity turmoil. We are proud to have leaders who will always fight for our rights and be transparent with us.

"Don't blame Johor if your leaders are not there in your own state for you to turn to in your time of need."

Johor crown prince praised for 'democratic' stand

Constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari has heaped praise on Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim who had asked police not to arrest those who criticise him.

He said the prince’s call to the police was not a sign of weakness.

“Indeed, it is a signal of strength and willingness to be open and transparent. Above all, it is democratic,” Abdul Aziz told Malaysiakini.

Admitting that this does not carry anything in law as the power rests with the police and the attorney-general, the crown prince, however, had pioneered a good move and Abdul Aziz is of the opinion that it is something that should be emulated by other royals.

“This includes the Conference of Rulers – essentially the one authority that represents the rulers. The conference may take the cue from what has been done by the crown prince and authorise the Keeper of Rulers’ Seal to issue statements from time to time,” said Abdul Aziz.

He added that the institution of monarchy has been silent on many issues even in areas where rulers have clear authority such as religion and citizenship, which had allowed extremists and right-wing elements in the society to lead the way.

“Like the crown prince, the rulers must assume leadership, especially at a time when the national leadership has lost the moral compass.”

The police, therefore, should take note and should immediately follow up with action.
“Just like when they leap into action when criticisms were levelled against the federal government and monarchy itself,” added Abdul Aziz.

In an interview posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page last night, Tunku Ismail said that he preferred that authorities arrange face-to-face meetings with his critics instead.

The Johor crown prince was responding to news that two men have been detained for their social media postings that allegedly insulted the crown prince.

The first to be arrested was Pahang football fan Masyhur Abdullah, 29, who allegedly uploaded a degrading message using the Twitter handle @thekeluangman.

An assistant chef was the next one to be arrested over a Facebook post about the crown prince.

Both men are being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum fine of up to RM50,000 or a year's jail maximum, or both.

Johor crown prince tells cops not to arrest his critics

Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has asked police not to arrest those who criticise him.

"I would humbly share my opinion with the police not to arrest anyone making seditious remarks about me," Tunku Ismail said in an interview posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page late last night.

Tunku Ismail, the Johor Darul Takzim football club owner, said he would prefer the authorities to arrange face-to-face meetings with his critics instead.

"Give them the privilege of saying what they want to say to my face, man to man.

"I can honestly say that I don't really care about what other people may say about me, as I am truly thankful with what God has given me in my life."

Tunku Ismail was responding to news that two men have been detained for their social media postings that allegedly insult the crown prince.

The first to be arrested was Pahang football fan Masyhur Abdullah, 29, who allegedly uploaded a degrading message using the Twitter handle @thekeluangman.

He was arrested in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday and brought to Johor Bahru.

An assistant chef was the next to be arrested over a Facebook post about the crown prince.

Both men are being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which carries a maximum fine of up to RM50,000 or a year's jail maximum, or both.

Meanwhile in another development related to the royalty, the Appeals Court today upheld the sedition conviction of the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, for a statement made over the late Perak sultan’s decision to remove then Pakatan Rakyat menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin.