Cover image via SAYS.com
TMJ warns citizens to beware of cowardly leaders
Image via Malaysiakini
He also added that influence rather than authority was the key to successful leadership these days
Image via fourthofficial
17 June: Over 2,000 people gathered in support of Johor crown prince in pro-royalty rally
Image via Ben Tan / The Rakyat Post
More than 2,000 people gathered in a peaceful assembly outside Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Bahru on 16 June to show their support for Tunku Ismail as well as to call for the resignation Nazri Abdul Aziz, who've been making rude statements about the royal in the past few days
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
The crowd erupted into cheers when Tunku Ismail, fondly known as TMJ, showed up to deliver a short speech. Assuring Johoreans that he will not stop speaking up on behalf of the people, he also remarked that he will not say much as "there are people in Putrajaya who wants to whack me".
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
Meanwhile, Nazri elected to continue commenting on his very public spat with the prince, saying that he is not bothered with being labelled "kurang ajar" (disrespectful) and maintaining his right to express his views. He also pointed out that the difference between him and the prince is that he was "elected by the people".
Image via The Malay Mail Online
16 June: The crown prince of Johor, Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim has been quite vocal in regards to the political situation in Malaysia as of late.
The heir apparent, also known as Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) to the people, came into the spotlight when he criticised PM Najib Razak's no-show at the Nothing2Hide forum on 5 June in a statement on the Johor football team's official Facebook page.
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
The JOHOR Southern Tigers Facebook page often serves as the official voice for Tunku Ismail, who is also the President of the Johor Football Association (PBNJ). The page has posted official statements from the prince as well as photos and videos of the prince's official and personal activities.
Tunku Ismail's criticism did not sit well with Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who told the prince to stay out of politics or the government will "whack" him. He also warned the prince that he will lose respect if he continues to comment on politics.
Image via The Malaysian Insider
Those are fighting words indeed. In a seeming response to Nazri's 'gangster talk', a 17-second video was posted on Facebook where Tunku Ismail executed the calmest "Come at me, bro" gesture we've ever seen. No words needed.
Image via Kotaku
The video, posted on 13 June at 7.12pm, has amassed more than 26,000 'Likes' and more than 7,500 shares at the time of writing.
Nazri declined to comment on the video as the prince did not state to whom the "challenge" was directed at. He did, however, say this: "If the prince wants to say something, he should issue a statement."
Image via The Sun Daily
If it's a statement you want, then a statement you will get. In a Facebook post dubbed a "Message for Malaysians", Tunku Ismail had more than a few words to say in response to Nazri's criticism and threats.
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
In his statement, the prince pointed out that he was only expressing his opinion on the people's perception of the country's leaders, but even that garnered a "hostile response" from Nazri. He questioned that if he – a royal – got such a response, what will happen if the common people do the same?
Image via Malaysiakini
Reminding Nazri that he is "not a God from the heavens who lord above everybody", TMJ said that ministers exist to serve the people, not to provide them with power and wealth. He added that he would rather be "cursed for standing up for what is right" to ensure the well-being of the rakyat.
Image via mStar
Furthermore, he said that politicians who cannot deal with criticism are just showing their "arrogance to the people" and while he has been blessed with a "comfortable life", he'd chosen to stand by the people's side instead of watching from the sidelines
Image via Blog Coklateyes
As a conclusion to his statement, Tunku Ismail urged politicians focus on national issues as well as to carry out their duties with "sincerity and integrity" instead of using him to divert the people's attention from more pressing matters
Image via Orang Muda
At the time of writing, the post has gathered more than 150,000 'Likes' and shared over 77,000 times on Facebook! People from all over Malaysia have also left more than 18,000 comments voicing their support for the prince and lauding him for finally speaking up for ordinary Malaysians.
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
Image via JOHOR Southern Tigers' Facebook
