Dr Mahathir urged to apologise to Sultan of Johor

Five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Friday urged former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to seek an open apology from the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

This concerned the allegation by Dr Mahathir that 700,000 Chinese nationals would be brought to Johor purportedly through the implementation of the Forest City project in the city, here.

The chairman of the Johor Bahru Bazaar Traders Association, Mohammad Salezan Mohd Salleh said Dr Mahathir's claim was illogical and only aimed to scare the people of Johor.

Mohammad Salezan disclosed this to reporters after he and representatives of four other NGOs lodged a police report regarding Dr Mahathir's statement at the Central Police Station, Johor Bahru South District Police Headquarters, here, Friday.

The other NGOs were the Johor Bahru Malay Hawkers, Traders and Small Industry Operators Association; Federation of Malaysian Malay Traders and Hawkers; New Generation Motoring Club and Kulai 4B Youth Movement.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir had issued a statement claiming that 700,000 Chinese nationals would be brought into Johor and given citizenship that would enable them to vote in the coming general election.

The Sultan of Johor, in a special interview, said he was slighted and hurt by the statement of the former national leader which he described as being manipulated by the politician on the Chinese investments in Johor.

He said Dr Mahathir was only giving priority to his political agenda instead of the interest of the people especially in Johor. -- Bernama