COMMENT Dr Mahathir Mohamad appears to have found an unlikely ally in Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim with regard to his attempt to evict Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak from Putrajaya.

 

It is common knowledge that Tunku Ismail's late grandfather was not too fond of Mahathir. Then again, not many royals were.

 

The Johor royal household is often described as being cast in a different mould, with one source close to the family, remarking: "You cannot pressure them."

 

Tunku Ismail has always been a prince who speaks his mind. This trait is evident in his scathing comments on the deplorable state of Malaysian football that often ruffle the feathers of another royal household, which incidentally backs Najib.

 

Though unexpected, it however does not come as a surprise that a royal rebuke - if there was to be one for the prime minister - should originate from down south.

 

According to Tunku Ismail, it was obvious that the prime minister would not turn up for a dialogue dubbed 'Nothing to Hide' when he has much to conceal.

 

He also cautioned that leaders should not blame the people for losing confidence and trust in them, and must instead understand the reasons behind such sentiments.

 

One wonders if this is the prince's personal view or the official stand of his father, the sultan of Johor.

 

The prince’s remarks, posted in Johor football team’s Facebook page, were temporary taken down late yesterday, but restored about an hour later. Tunku Ismail is the Johor Football Association president and regularly posts his views through this Facebook page.

 

As expected, there was pin-drop silence on the pro-Najib blogs and amongst the prime minister's supporters on this regal lashing. None would dare cross swords with the Johor palace.

 

Even the cybertroopers, who are quick to the draw, on articles regarding Najib and 1MDB on Malaysiakini , kept their fingers off the trigger for this one.

 

The royal rebuke could tip the scale for the warrior-blooded prime minister, and might even expedite his departure from the seat of power.

 

News would travel far and wide through the Malay heartlands of how even the royals disapprove of him.

 

As it is, Umno's reputation amongst its traditional supporters is languishing in the doldrums as a result of the 1MDB and Tabung Haji land deal imbroglio.

 

PR misadventure

 

The 'Nothing to Hide' dialogue has shaped up to be the biggest public relations misadventure for Najib, and could put new PR czar Lim Kok Wing's job on the line.

 

Despite claiming the police advised him against attending the event due to security concerns, the general perception is that the premier went weak in the knees after learning about Mahathir's presence and the police chief was instructed to take a bullet for Najib.

 

The incident became all the more comical and damaging because it occurred some 24 hours after Najib declared in Sarawak that he has the blood of warriors coursing through his veins and would not bow to pressure or be intimidated.

 

It is mind-boggling how the prime minister's PR team failed to anticipate this disaster and allowed Najib to agree to the dialogue in the first place.

 

But it is too late to bandage the wounds for Najib is bleeding warrior blood profusely, especially after the blue-blooded royal slashing.

 

Speaking of Johor, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been critical of 1MDB and rumoured to be at odds with his boss, hails from the state and heads Johor Umno.

 

Whereas the organiser of the 'Nothing to Hide' dialogue, Khairul Anwar Rahmat, is Johor Umno Youth deputy chief.

 

A royal coincidence?

 

                                                                                             

RK ANAND is a member of the Malaysiakini Team.