Things Nazri Has To Say To 'Ordinary Citizen' Dr M And The Crown Prince of Johor
The Tourism and Culture Minister, who was among those happy when the value of Ringgit fell, has some strong words of advice.
By Sadho Ram — 15 Jun 2015, 06:13 PM
Nazri to be probed for sedition after telling Johor crown prince to stay out of politics
Police will investigate Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz over his remark telling the Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to stay out of Malaysian politics, the Inspector-General of Police confirmed today.
The investigation under the Sedition Act was prompted by police reports lodged against the senior Cabinet member who will be called in to give his statement soon says Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, Inspector-General of Police.
themalaymailonline.com
The culture and tourism minister said he did not have any problems with the police investigating him and would cooperate.
“I am a man of the law and will face the law. So far I have not been called. Not yet, anyway,” he said.
Nazri said now everybody should know that the royalty was above politics and protected by the Sedition Act.
“When the Johor prince attacked Datuk Seri Najib Razak, nothing could be done to him as he was protected by the Sedition Act. But when I defended Najib, I am hauled up. Now you know it is not a level playing field,” he said
themalaysianinsider.com
Now, the Culture and Tourism Minister has some strong words of warning for Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Johor, telling him not to meddle in politics or risk being whacked
"If the Prince wishes to remain above the law, he should keep out of politics," Nazri said while referring to a scathing remark by Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim last week against PM Najib for not attending a tell-all public forum meeting called "Nothing2Hide".
"Rulers and royal families are above the law. If you want to be a politician then say so, so we can hit you back for what you say. But if you hold an important post, as a royalty in a state and start saying things, if we hit you back, don't get angry," he told reporters after officiating an event in Universiti Malaya, Saturday.
thestar.com.my13 June: Earlier on 10 June, right after the Ringgit fell to a nine-year low, Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz claimed that he was among those happy to see the value of the Malaysian currency go down. His reason being that it would make tourists feel 'rich'.
He said tourists from countries like United Kingdom and Europe would come to Malaysia and spend their money as the currency exchange would offer them more when the Ringgit falls. He said the tourists would feel 'rich' when they visit Malaysia when the Ringgit value is low.
Apart from that, Nazri said the low Ringgit would also force Malaysians to think twice about going on holidays abroad. "So, the holidays will be expensive and they will spend their money here as local tourists.....and that makes me happy. Very happy," he said.
The minister also cautioned the Prince that the royalty would lose respect if he continues to comment on politics
"If you start to meddle in politics, then we will question you, then there will be no more respect for the royalty. I hope you keep out of politics. We are the ones who are protecting the royalty," he added.
malaysiakini.comOn Dr M asking PM Najib for a public debate, Nazri said that he has no right to ask the PM for a debate as he is just an ordinary citizen, adding that Najib should not stoop to the former premier's level
“I don’t want my PM to lower himself because he is a PM while Dr Mahathir is just an ordinary citizen. So why should my PM need to go to the level of an ordinary citizen? He has no locus standi to have a debate with Najib. For me, certainly it’s not a good idea,” The Star quoted him as saying.
The minister also said there was already an existing platform for debate, known as the Parliament. "If there's a debate, it should be in the Parliament between the Opposition Leader and Najib."
When asked about Najib's irregular presence in Parliament, he said:
“That’s because he has many other things to do as a Prime Minister. We don’t want to waste his time. Besides, his Ministers are capable of answering questions on his behalf,” he said.
Nazri, who is also an Umno supreme council member, defended Najib and said that “he had not done anything wrong. There is no way an existing PM should step down unless he commits an offence, dies in office, or is under investigation. Najib is not, and therefore, it is a ridiculous demand,” Nazri added.