GE14 |Caretaker menteri besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin has come to the defence of Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim over the latter's recent comments that waded into political territory.

“We should be rational and anyone who does not agree with Tunku Ismail’s views should not respond rudely,” Khaled said at Pengerang, Johor, today.

It is the crown prince’s right to express his views on matters affecting the people, Khaled is reported as saying by The Star.

Besides, he said, Tunku Ismail was making a factual statement.

Pasir Gudang Umno Youth chief Azman Jaafar also echoed Khaled's sentiments, saying that the prince has a right to voice his opinions, even as a member of the royal family.

“Also, upon closer examination, Tunku Ismail’s remark was not flawed. He was not making up stories like some leaders.

“What he said is based on facts and not make believe,” Azman said in a statement today.

The crown prince did not insult anyone, nor did he condemn or denigrate anyone’s ancestry, he added.

On Saturday, Tunku Ismail weighed in on the 14th general election, stating that there was no need to change the engine of a ship simply because of a problematic skipper.

His comments, which were posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page, started a raging debate among netizens.

He later clarified 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.