Saturday November 4, 2006
Sultan of Johor causes stir
News update from The Star Newsdesk
JOHOR BARU: Johor Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail caused a stir during his address at the launch of the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) today when he digressed from his written text and said the Causeway should be removed.
To the shock of the 2,000 people present and thousands of viewers at home of the live telecast over RTM 1 and TV3, the Ruler said it was built by colonialists who had used dirty tactics to deceive his ancestors.
He said the building of the causeway was to deliberately prevent ships from passing local waters, resulting in the development of Keppel Port in Singapore instead.
"The causeway has to be removed to allow ships to pass," the Sultan said before launching the multi-billion SJER. At this juncture, the audience broke into laughter and applauded.
In his address the Ruler, who was clad in a T-shirt, said that he would not "give face" (bagi muka) to the foreigners (Mat Sallehs)and urged the people not to hold them in high regard.
He also reminded locals and their children to be wary of them as they were vultures.
He also paid tribute to former Johor state secretary Datuk Seri Amar Abdul Rahman Andak who had fought against the British during his time.
This is the second time the Sultan had created a controversy within two weeks.
Last month, after performing Hari Raya prayers he said that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had already retired and should not interfere in the Government.
In the impromptu speech at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, he called on Johoreans to continue supporting the Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
On the SJER, Iskandar hoped that Johor would be transformed into a global economic centre.
"I hope the SJER will bring benefits to the people of Johor," he said, adding that he was confident that the project would be a success as there was cooperation and togetherness among all the parties concerned.
He also thanked the Federal Government, especially Abdullah, whom he said had known for many years as a friend, for the support to develop SJER.
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