Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has responded to a raging debate following comments he made yesterday on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.

In his comment piece yesterday, which coincided with the dissolution of Parliament, Tunku Ismail waded into political territory, stating that there was no need to change the engine of a ship simply because of a problematic skipper. 

In another comment piece uploaded on the same Facebook page this evening, Tunku Ismail said he was only giving a personal opinion and did not side with either BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak or Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He added that people are entitled to their opinions and who they wish to support but claimed that the majority who had voiced out were outsiders.

Tunku Ismail said the fate of Malaysia does not concern him and his foremost interest is about Johor and its people.

His full comment piece is reproduced below and edited for grammar and brevity:

My personal opinion

I gave my sincerest opinion for what I think is best for my state.

It was my personal opinion and being in my position, I do not support any political party or individual.

Whenever I think of something, I always think of the betterment of the state of Johor and I do not let my emotions cloud my opinions or anything for that matter. I use my mind to get what is best.

People have the right to give their own opinions. They have the right to support whomever they want and the right to form an opinion.

I still say that whoever becomes the leader in this country, he does not only serve a political party's ideology. He needs to serve the people.

That is why we are here, His Majesty The Sultan of Johor and I or any other politicians (sic). Our duty first and foremost it to the people.

Whatever statements I gave last night is my personal opinion, and the people have the right to choose for themselves.

We have our own way in Johor

It is different in Johor. You have to understand that in Johor we have our own way, so don't bring your outside influences, take care of your own states and country.

That is my honest opinion, but as I have said, the people have the right to choose whoever they want.

But remember, whoever that person may be, he must serve and give priority to you and not to his personal agendas.

My opinion is for the state of Johor. Whatever I think of, whatever I do, it is for the people of Johor and not for myself.

To me, the people of Johor believe in the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan of Johor.

I was born to serve the state of Johor. So, that is my responsibility.

I did not say I support Mahathir Mohamad, Najib Abdul Razak or anyone else.

I am a straightforward person. Before, when Najib made a mistake, I stood and said something and when Mahathir had issues, I stood and said something.

I am not on anyone's side and I am not supporting anyone.

I only disagree when a person who had a crisis with Johor in the past tries to take over Johor!

Well being of Johor the top priority

Because this is my state. A state my father, grandfather and ancestors have protected whenever there is a crisis.

Is it that easy for the people to forget about those crises?

No matter what, The Johor state constitution and the institution of Johor need to be maintained, the sovereignty and the well being of Johor must be the top priority.

Is that difficult to be understood? Whoever you want to support, you support.

But like I said, all matters related to Johor are between the Johor people and me.

I feel that outsiders do not need to intervene and voice out. The majority of them, when we investigated, came from outside.

Whatever happens to Malaysia is your problem. Whatever decisions I feel are the best for Johor are between my people and me.

We can discuss together, talk together and I give my opinions, they give theirs.

That's what makes this state progress because we exchange opinions and most importantly we are sincere and loyal to the Johor state constitution and institution.

Whatever happens to the country, it involves other people, not me.