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| Perception and Royal Reality in Malaysia |
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| Written by Our Correspondent | |
| Monday, 25 January 2010 | |
 The King is Dead. Long Live the King, so to speak
Malaysia has gone into mourning for the Sultan of Johor, Mahmud Iskandar Almarhum Sultan Ismail, who died Friday at 77. He was buried in an elaborate ceremony on Saturday. In Malaysia's oddball rotating kingship, which allows each of the country's nine sultans to wear the king's hat for five years, Iskandar became Malaysia's Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or king, in 1984, relinquishing the title in 1989. Najib Tun Razak, the prime minister, cut short a visit to India to extend his condolences and issue a statement: "On behalf of the government and people. I express sadness and extend condolences to Her Royal Highness Sultanah Zanariah and her children as well as the royal household on the demise of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor." The massive Iskandar development project in Johor across from Singapore was named for him. Muhyiddin Yassin, the deputy prime minister, said that Iskandar's death "is a big loss to the people of Johor, and also of Malaysia, because of his priceless contributions during his lifetime." But it is difficult to see just what those priceless contributions were. Despite the encomiums, the Johor sultan embodied just about everything that was ill-starred about Malaysia's system of royalty. Both The Star, owned by the Malaysian Chinese Association, and the New Straits Times, owned by the United Malays National Organisation, issued respectful obituaries. To most Malaysians, the New Straits Times said, "the Sultan will be remembered for his mercurial ways, as well as his inadvertent role in the constitutional crisis of 1993 which dramatically ended the legal immunity of the country's nine hereditary monarchs." Iskandar's role in the constitutional crisis was hardly inadvertent but it was certainly mercurial. In fact it was integral to it and it stemmed from his brutal beating, along with members of his staff, of a field hockey coach. And although the end of legal immunity was pushed through 17 years ago, today Malaysian royalty pretty much act any way they want without facing arrest. Several have left huge gambling debts in London casinos to be picked up by Malaysian state governments. Recently there have been incidents reported of fistfights between rival royals in Malaysian night clubs. In recent months, in fact, UMNO, the country's leading political party, has led a charge to report to the police anyone who dares criticize the royalty. Several critics have been charged with sedition. Iskandar was one of the worst of Malaysia's sultans, a violent, often brutal and impulsive man who seemingly knew no bounds to his behavior. He was lucky to be a sultan at all. He was ignominiously dismissed as the Tunku Makhota, or prince regent of Johor, by his father, Sultan Ismail Ibrahim, in 1961 after he reportedly chained two policemen into a dog kennel for a day after they displeased him. He was later reported to have attacked a young couple with Mace after they allegedly offended him. In 1972, he was charged for Macing two men because their car had had overtaken his on the highway. He regularly patrolled Johor roads with a red light and siren on the top of his Rolls Royce and a shotgun strapped to the dashboard, pulling over speeders and ordering them to perform enjut ketampi, the Malay term for squat jumps, until they fell over. Any driver who inadvertently passed the sultan's car on Johor's roads or obstructed him was subject to exorbitant fines. His staff was petrified by him. Once, at a diplomatic reception for example, he was seen to simply hold out his glass when it was empty and drop it as a terrified servant raced across the room to catch it before it shattered on the marble floor. In 1971, he got into real trouble by shooting and killing a trespasser whom he took to be a smuggler walking near his private helicopter. He was charged with manslaughter but his father intervened, as the sultan did repeatedly at other times, and granted him a pardon despite his disapproval of his actions. Iskandar's family wasn't much better. His eldest son, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail, shot a man dead in a nightclub but was also pardoned. There was considerable speculation in Kuala Lumpur that despite the fact that the kingship rotated on a set basis, his fellow sultans would block him because of his behavior. But they elected him Agong in 1983. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad promptly fomented a constitutional crisis by ramrodding through a series of actions in the Dewan Rakyat, or Parliament, that removed the power of the royalty to veto legislation, along with closing other loopholes within the Malaysian constitution. That didn't slow down the sultan much. In 1987, after he became the Agong, he allegedly clubbed a caddy to death at the Cameron Highlands golf club for laughing when the sultan missed a putt. He also was said to have maimed the caddy's brother, who suffered a mental breakdown from seeing the incident and had to be restrained in a mental hospital. Although the killing was given wide currency among Kuala Lumpur's political and social circles, Iskandar was never arrested. It remained out of the government-controlled press. It so distressed the retired Tunku Abdul Rahman, the country's first leader after independence, that he publicly condemned the assault without naming Iskandar. The Tunku, however, also pointed out that as a sultan, Iskandar was immune from prosecution. In 1992, following Iskandar's departure from the kingship, his son, Tunku Abdul Majid Idris, assaulted the goalkeeper of the Perak hockey team after Perak won a match with a penalty stroke. The goalkeeper lodged a police report against the son, who ultimately was convicted and sentenced to a year in prison. The charges were dropped on grounds of immunity. Later the sultan himself was involved in the other field hockey controversy that finally made Malaysia say enough. He called a local coach to his palace over a minor dispute. He and his bodyguards assaulted the coach, who had to seek medical attention for injuries to his face and body. The coach also filed charges. This time, the press reported on both incidents. Despite the fact that the sultan had won Mahathir's approval by firing Mahathir's nemesis, Tun Salleh Abbas, the highly respected lord president of Malaysia's highest court, which brought an end to the independence of the country's judiciary, the assaults were enough for the prime minister. He led a campaign in the parliament to remove legal immunity from prosecution for the royalty that passed resoundingly. Iskandar reportedly finally calmed down in later years, and lived a life largely out of the public prints. None of his misdeeds made the Malaysian press after his death. One blog cheerily said he would "always be remembered as Malaysia's unconventional King. He preferred to drive his own car or pilot his own helicopter. He also loved sports, especially golf and was not afraid to lose in a game." Or a caddy. He was called "a King with the common touch." Comments (24)
  written by Hyatt Johor Baharu Patron, January 25, 2010
Muhyiddin Yassin, the deputy prime minister, said that Iskandar's death "is a big loss to the people of Johor, and also of Malaysia, because of his priceless contributions during his lifetime."
Can you believe this sucker who is the DPM-Malu-lah Melayu.Do you know that this Sultan is a Murderer, Rapist anda Thief! His family like the other Royalty are Pirates. Every State in Malaysia was another country in history and these guys wee all crooks! How can a DPM say that this ROGUE contribution was PRICELESS. Everyone was so afraid to drive their flipping car when he or his son was on the road.All the women in the Hotel serving Whisky his favourite drink were removed because he will get his body guards to try and kidnapp them.This was a dangerous man!!! Muhyddin must be another IDIOT! Where do they pick these fools to run malaysia???
written by Babsy, January 25, 2010
An illuminating piece that exposes the corrupt, entrenched scourge of feudalism that continues to hinder Malaysia's welfare and development. "Johorean" is a fine example of the kind of enlightened citizens that this system of see-no-evil deference has produced.
written by ajajal, January 25, 2010
I have pass some comment in some blogs . In most blogs people gave good words while I reminded them of the 1960/1970 era where this infamous man was the worst royal bully. He used all the apparatus of the Sultanate army and bodyguards . I was one of those who was bullied by his bodyguards we were made to do duck walking along the entrance of a night club. Imagine how his
royal bully shame us for not standing up when he entered the night club. Anyone that gave him credit should have asked how this man behaved in the early days. Anyway he is gone hope his son will not be like him. I forgave him may the ALL MIGHTY also do so.
written by Worms food, finally..., January 25, 2010
Finally, worms food. Blessing to all the worms. Bon Appetit.
If only he dted a stillborn, many would rejoiced. Worst animal, ever. And fcuk you Johorean.
written by Chempedak, January 25, 2010
Monarchy my foot. How can you campare them to the monarchs from the West or even Japan. So dignified.
Descendants of Indonesian pirate chieftans that plied the Straits in the good old days these Malayan sultans are. Check it out . . The one from Pahang or his father is even worse. Went gambling and lost millions at Las Vegas and the government had to bail him out. What a joke from these hi-society alcohol consuming custodians of Islam. Poor Orang Asli, the Red Indians of Malaya. Stole their land and rape the country dry by mutiplying from polgamy and easy divorces begetting countless useless so-called puteri and putera ("princes" and princesses") who only know how to consume for free and bully the rakyat (others). Poor taxpayers. Not ONE sultan in Malaya . . .
written by bugisman, January 25, 2010
there is a saying, never go to the club whenever a johore royalty is there. especially not with your girlfriend or any female companion.
written by Republican, January 26, 2010
Presumably, Malaysia is the richest nation that can afford to support 8 Royal families and 4 Head Representatives!!! All these families, excluding those kinships and relatives, are paradises that sucking off huge and heaps of money from Malaysia poor!! Other nations, esp. the West, can only afford one Royal family with half of their Royal family entitled payments are given to charities!!! In Malaysia, those hogs hope to get more instead of giving away generously to charities....
written by Pukimah, January 26, 2010
The eldest son -- now the sultan -- is no better. Despite being denied persmission to enter Singapore's airspace, the asshole flew in in his chopper and landed it on the grounds of the polo club.
written by Daddy Peet, January 26, 2010
I was going to write a critical response to the rubbish printed in the Star and the New Straits Times about this scoundrel. I found this article and had planned to link to it in my blog. I even lifted and dropped the royal anus's photo from the article onto my desktop. Then I had second thoughts. Why advertise the scum of the earth? Why pay tribute even by commenting? Why blog about such a pig?
I dumped the late king's photo into my wastebasket. Best feeling I had all day!
written by Kassim, January 26, 2010
He is dead! No, he is been exterminated by Allah. Allah just couldn’t bear anymore of his evil deed. Hopefully the maggots are having feast on this rotten body, inside and outside. I couldn’t believe the malays are looking up on this murderer. You have to be immoral to eulogize someone who murdered and raped the same people who supported his welfare lifestyle. Well it is only in Malaysia. Here you go investors. Rush to Malaysia with your hard earned money so these murders can feast on your investment because there are more out there.
Now his kids are taking over. Sadam Hussein legacy is repeated in Malaysia. Remember how this ruthless family tortured their own people. That was what this guy was doing along with his sons. I should at least give some credit to the malays because in Iraq the Iraqis hanged him and here in Malaysia, they fed him to the maggots. It’s only in Malaysia you find rich leeches sucking the people’s hard earned money. Hei you, that is blood money-lah. What a shame, fattening with blood money. All they do is sleep, eat, s**t, rob, rape and kill. Malaysia you are doomed. Allah is not stupid. Guess what he did? He placed that pig in the burning fire. If I was allah, I would do something extra, I would stick a bamboo through his arse and roast him on that burning fire. Guess who would be next? No other than our evil mamak satan Mahathir. You can run but you can’t hide mamak. Your time is coming up. Allah is watching your bad half Indian arse.
written by shirley muthukususutu, January 27, 2010
My late father's ADC saw the former TMJ (now Sultan) knock down a bicyclist, got out his car, went towards the bicyclist like he was going to help, and delivered a slap across the poor guy's face. His sisters were no less mean. Even when young, they got their kicks out of making golf caddies, carrying heavy golf clubs, run after their royal highnesses' golf buggy.
written by Mamaktthir, January 27, 2010
What do you expect? The fella ancestors were busily involved in piracy.
written by Angel TanWC, January 28, 2010
I hope he burns in Hell, because there is no justice in Malaysia.
I curse the entire collection of royal houses in Malaysia. May tragedy befall their families every year until the end of the monarchy, just like in Nepal.
written by malay, January 28, 2010
i wonder why the mainstream newspapers does not cover any of these?
before this, i've heard some of his misdeeds but only through words of mouth.now, reading it makes me realized that there might be some truth to those rumors..i pity the people who had been fed with lies by the mainstream newspapers who promoted this guy as being something of a value. enough with covering up messes and just report something as it is because some of those money gambled were my parents' tax money!
written by sapu, January 28, 2010
Sultan Iskandar was originally Sultan Mahmood. The first sultan Mahmood of 150 years ago was a sadist par excellence. He habitually killed his subjects with a new weapon he had recently acquired. So when this sadist become sultan Mahmood of Johor everyone started to compare the new Mahmood with the old Mahmood. Lo and behold, they were almost identical. Hence the great desire to change his name to Iskandar. EVen then he was always feared, never respected. Wherever he went, he had full escort of outriders/police cars in FRONT and driving on the wrong side of the road. Oncoming cars were of course forced to the side of the road. If you were too late in doing so, you will be stopped and fined on the spot. Lucky if you don't get slapped too. Accidents have happened resulting in death of the driver/passengers of the oncoming car. But this has not stopped the stupid parade. Slapping is the preferred mode of assault but getting pulverised by his retinue of soldiers of the Johor Military Force(JMF) is of course very common. Pages can be written about this JMF who are nothing but bully boys of the sultan and his family, as recent events have shown. I wonder how long more are Johoreans going to suffer the psychopathic behaviour of their ruler. Johoreans really want to love their sultan(like Sultan Ismail, Sultan Ibrahim) but their desire to love is being eradicated by the dysfunctional behaviour of their ruler. We all pray for a miraculous change of their genes.
written by real malaysians, January 29, 2010
JOHOREANS ARE LIVING IN FEAR AND TENSIONS,, IT IS FACTS!
WILL IGP SAID SOMETHINGS THAT HELP..EG. ANY PRINCE ACTS WRONG WILL BE AND CAN BE ARRESTED AND BE PUT IN COURT.... THIS WILL PACIFY AND GIVE MORALE SUPPORTS TO ALL JOHOREANS, CITIZENS AND EVEN POLICE OFFICERS ALSO VERY FEAR OF THE PRINCE AND SULTAN OF JOHOR! WHY, THEY LIVE IN FEAR....EVEN THE KETUA POLIS JOHOR REPEATED AND REPEATED TO SAY HONOUR THE SULTAN WHILE MAHATHIR SAID THE PARLIMENT ALREADY PASSED THE ACT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE AND ARREST OF ROYAL FAMILIES.... THE CONTRADICTION, THE MINDSET, AND THE FEAR CAN BE SEEN FROM JOHOREANS, AND POLICE HEAD........ IT IS A FRIGHTHENING STATE OF FEAR IN PSYCOLOGILALY AND MENTALLY YOU GO TO STREET AND ASK, SURVEY, PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF JOHOR SULTAN AND PRIINCES...WHY WHY SUCH THINGS HAPPENED????????? CAN IGP TELL??//
written by nicteo, January 29, 2010
What a bunch of bulls**t compliments from the DPM to the UMNO mouthpiece NST about what contributions from this animal of a sultan.
While the official mouthpiece sign praises of him, the people on the ground speak of the horrible acts committed by this sultan (animal).
written by Orang Gila, January 31, 2010
Especially the Johor Royal family sufferes from inbreeding and incest.This is why genetically, they are mentally unbalanced, neurotic and suffesrs from the disease of the mind.In Kelantan -that family like Pahang have the same problems.Its a CURSE FROM GOD.
The family will be unhappy forever. Like the Late Sultan of Selangoer was so desperate to marry Raja Ema, who could have been his great grand daughters.These pirates suffer from Syphillis , Gonerrea and many other ailments-Look at the children- mentally unstable! The government is protecting the Royalty-no other work!! I want to laugh at the mental case-Hishamuddin Hussein Onn (AKA- Anchor Beer king) -a disgrace to his family!
written by Kayan, February 13, 2010  Unfortunately Malaysia is run by a gang of animals, that would be unkind to the animals by calling the UMNOthives animals
written by Bismilah, February 25, 2010
I fully supported comments from Kassim. I wish to add further, UMNO is the main culprit who supported these parasites on the society. These royal arses live on tax-payers monies and abuse all those priveleges given to them on the expenses of hard working taxpayers of Malaysia. Why we support such a institution? It really baffled me.
Umno politicians are nothing but a bunch of ass-kissers and balls-suckers of the Sultans. They patronise the Sultans despite the Sultan's horrible misdeeds. These UMNO politicians are just pure hypocrites and as a matter of facts, they are partner in-crime for whatever misdeeds the Sultan have done in the past. May ALLAH helps Malaysia to get rid of these bastards.
written by best mbt, March 03, 2010
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Iskandar is finally where he belongs.