No News Is Bad News
Incoming King warns ‘monkey’ MPs
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11, 2023: Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who is scheduled to be installed as Malaysia’s 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) next month, has sounded his displeasure with Members of Parliament (MPs) who behave like monkeys.
His tolerance against “garbage” MPs is loud and clear.
“There’re 222 of you in Parliament. There’re over 30 million outside. I’m not with you, I’m with them. When I hit in my speech, I hit. If not, the MPs behave like monkeys.”
No News Is Bad News reproduces below an excerpt of Sultan Ibrahim’s interview with Singapore’s Straits Times. For the full report, download the image above to read it magnified:
*SINGAPORE STRAITS TIMES*
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No ‘puppet king’:
Sultan of Johor set to voice his views as Malaysia’s next monarch when he is installed as monarch at the end of January.
In an interview with The Straits Times on Nov 23, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, the ruler of Johor, said the HSR between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore should also be revived and aligned such that the border crossing is via Forest City, the troubled property development on reclaimed islands in the southern Malaysian state.
Sultan Ibrahim has ideas on how to get the project back on track. “I will make it (come back) on,” he insisted.
During the interview Sultan Ibrahim, 65, also expressed other ideas for his five-year term as Malaysia’s constitutional monarch, including making key institutions such as the judiciary and anti-graft agency answerable to the throne, instead of the executive government currently.
He also intends to have a greater say in evaluating recipients for royal awards, having already scrapped a traditional investiture planned for Federal Territories Day on Feb 1, just a day after he becomes king.
Pushing these changes, however, would test the limits of his constitutional powers as king. Executive power is held by ruling politicians and the civil service. Hereditary rulers role for most of the nation’s 66-year history has been largely ceremonial. Still, royal influence on government has been growing.
Known as one of the most colourful and outspoken of Malaysia’s sovereigns, Sultan Ibrahim told ST he was not interested in giving up five years of his life to just be a “puppet king”. Instead, he plans to use his influence to “make things right” nationally. This includes checking on both the executive government led by PM Anwar and the machinations of self-serving politicians.
“There’re 222 of you in Parliament. There’re over 30 million outside. I’m not with you, I’m with them,” he said. “When I hit in my speech, I hit. If not, the MPs behave like monkeys.”
‘I’m going to hunt all the corrupt people’
Monday, 11 Dec 2023
Royal meeting: Sultan Ibrahim speaking during an interview at His Majesty’s private residence in Johor Baru. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Saying that he is not interested in giving up five years of his life just to be a “puppet king,” Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has vowed to crack down on graft.
“I’m going to hunt all the corrupt people. I will make sure I bring results.
“People contribute hundreds of millions before elections. How do you pay them back? Giving them mega projects.
“That’s not going to be the case the moment I’m there,” His Majesty said, referring to kickbacks.
Sultan Ibrahim will assume the role of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term starting Jan 31, 2024.
In an interview with The Straits Times/ANN, Sultan Ibrahim said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should report directly to the King instead of the Parliament as it does now.
“If it comes to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it means you are not under the influence of anybody from the Executive,” said His Majesty.
The agency’s crackdowns have seen controversy in recent months, amid allegations that they were politically influenced and that there was an abuse of power.
“Even PETRONAS should not be under Parliament; report directly to me,” said Sultan Ibrahim, referring to the national oil giant.
Sultan Ibrahim also suggested that judicial appointments be separated from the Executive and that they must be independent.
“We only get the list (from the Prime Minister’s Office) during the Conference of Rulers.
“Why don’t you bring the name down (to us) before you appoint? We are not a rubber stamp.”
Sultan Ibrahim said he plans to use his influence to “make things right.”
“There are 222 of you in Parliament. There are over 30 million (people) outside. I’m not with you, I’m with them.
“When I ‘hit’ in my speech, I ‘hit’. If not, the MPs behave like monkeys,” His Majesty said.
Despite his ambitious plans, the Sultan admitted that the prospect of taking up the throne had him “scared” in the beginning.
“I don’t know what I’ll be facing, the culture shock,” His Majesty said.
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