Johor Sultan regrets action of former leader

Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar of Johor today expressed regret at the action of a former leader who he said amended the constitution for his own interest.

He described the leader as "kacang lupakan kulit" (a person who has forgotten his roots).

He said the man became "greedy" after getting power and not only forgot who it was that gave him that power but also took away the rights of his benefactors.

The sultan also criticised the "former leader well known to the world" who took part in street demonstrations.

"I will not allow anyone to organise street demonstrations in Johor because they will only undermine public order and give the state a bad name.

"As such, I remind all NGOs in Johor and all bangsa Johor not to follow this misguided culture," he said when addressing about 3,000 people at a Bangsa Johor gathering at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Stadium.

The sultan said people unhappy with the government could channel their grievances through their elected representatives.

Street demonstrations, especially where leaders were insulted, were not the Malaysian way and would only cause hatred and disunity, he said.

He said there was no reason for Malaysians to ape others who incited people to overthrow the government. -- BERNAMA