JOHOR BARU: Johor Umno has taken a Pakatan Harapan (PH) leader to task over his call for Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to step down from his throne and enter politics full time.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the statement made by Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan clearly showed the latter does not understand the role and leadership of the royal institution in Johor.
Hasni said the people in Johor, generally, have no problem with the involvement of Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, or Tunku Ismail in the affairs and management of the state.
“In fact, we are proud since the State Constitution clearly stipulated and explained the role and existence of the Johor Royal Institution.
“What was written about the Johor Royal Institution showed that the PH leaders does not understand the responsibility of the Sultan of Johor and the Johor Crown Prince.
“All this while, we, the people in the state, have never questioned the duties and existence of the royal institution in daily affairs affecting the society,” he told reporters after flagging off the Tok Uban Fun Run 2018 here today.
Former Johor Baru member of parliament, Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, who is also the Johor Baru Umno division head, was present.
Khairuddin, who is PH communications and mobility committee member, in the statement posted on his Facebook account yesterday, reckoned for Tunku Ismail to abdicate his claim to the throne since the Johor Crown Prince, on many occasions, fond of issue political statements.
“I will all humility and tawadduk (patient and humble) would like to recommend for Tuanku (Johor Crown Prince) to relinquish your throne and enter the political arena full time,” said Khairuddin.
He also recommends for Tunku Ismail to emulate Umno veterans Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar, who shed their royal status to become full time politicians.
Khairuddin also said he feared that the people will lose respect to the royal institution if Tunku Ismail continue to issue political statements.