Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has indicated he will not help his critics, who are facing criminal punishment or have landed in prison for insulting him.

Civil rights group had asked the Johor palace to pardon Muhammad Amirul Azwan Mohd Shakri, 19, after he was sentenced to a year in prison for insulting Tunku Ismail on matters related to football.

"The same people are asking me to release these individuals but you have made it clear that no one is above the law.

“Who am I to interfere with the police or the law?" said the prince in a Facebook statement.

Tunku Ismail pointed out that actions against his critics were not initiated by him but those who still "love the royal institution".

"There are people also saying that I have ordered their arrest but in reality, the police reports are made by the people of Johor who still love the royal institution.

"My question to them is - if they make the report, what does it have to do with me?" he asked.

Tunku Ismail also noted there were those trying to downplay the actions of the individuals who had insulted him.

"A few individuals have been arrested for insulting my good name. I have never bothered them. 

"There are also certain quarters who are trying to twist facts by saying that these individuals are simply criticising and not insulting," he said.

However, Tunku Ismail said he did not care about this.

"Even though I am criticised or insulted, I could not care less and these people can continue with their wishes as I am grateful with the life Allah has given to me and the good will always prevail.

"To those who say that I cannot be criticised, I have been criticised since 2013 when I first took over the helm of Johor FA," he added.

Previously, the prince had asked the police not to arrest those who criticised him, saying that he would prefer if a face-to-face meeting could be arranged with his critics.

On June 7, Amirul pleaded guilty to 14 charges under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

He was given the maximum sentence of one year in prison by the Johor Baru Sessions Court.