Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ismail today said just because political leaders are granted an audience with him does not mean they were getting his support.

"Though many political leaders have come to have an audience with me, I only listen to them and will not take sides with any parties or individuals," he said in his speech when officiating a mosque at the Johor police contingent headquarters.

An excerpt of the speech was uploaded on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.

Sultan Ibrahim's remarks comes after Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, following his audience with the ruler last Friday, claimed that the sultan was counting on Umno to unite Malays.

On Aug 2, Ahmad Zahid's predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin also met Sultan Ibrahim, less than a week after he was removed from office.

Muhyiddin was removed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for his vocal criticism of the premier's handling of 1MDB.

Sultan Ibrahim in his speech reiterated that he would not interfere in politics.

"My priority is the welfare of my subjects and that the prosperity of Johor must be maintained through the unity and togetherness of Bangsa Johor,” he said.

The monarch also urged the government to be transparent and honest with the people.

"As in this modern day and age, nothing could be hidden.

"As a Chinese proverb puts it: 'A sack cannot conceal a hammer, a paper cannot envelope a flame," he said.

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