Johore threatening to secede from Malaysia

The comments by the Johore royalty of the possibility of Johore seceding from Malaysia have hit the news again. The Crown Prince has said it again, indicating that the frustration over the mess created by the Federal Govt and the politics of  racial unrest have upset the royal family in Johore. Several news agencies have the same report below:

“I am going to be the future Sultan of this state and my main responsibility goes towards the people of Johor. Malaysia is important to me, but Johor and JDT will always come first.

He also explained that Johor only agreed to be a part of the Federation of Malaysia provided “several basic terms” were fulfilled and added, “And if any one of those terms are breached, we have every right to secede from this country.”

Expressing his strong sense of duty to the people of Johor first and foremost, he said, “You can accuse me of instigating state-based sentiments, but to me, I’m merely doing my duty to the people of Johor, and reminding them of the history and heritage behind this great land.”

He also said it was important that everyone was aware that the current political and economic maelstrom in the country was not of the Johor royalty’s doing.

“People deserve to know, that the mess we have in the country right now, should in no way be associated to the Johor royal family. Over the years, we’ve always been strong and independent as well as resourceful.”….

Talk of secession first surfaced in June when the crown prince’s brother, Tunku Idris Sultan Ibrahim, posted a reminder to Putrajaya over Instagram that the Johor government had joined the Federation of Malaysia on the conditions Islam be declared the religion of the state; that the state have absolute right over water and land issues; and that the state royal house has its own armed forces….

He said that over the decades and centuries, the people of Johor were encouraged to be united and committed to a cause.

"So politicians may instigate racist sentiments, but the people of Johor will always be racially united and that very unity will go on to become the backbone of this football club," said Tunku Ismail. See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/johor-always-first-says-crown-prince#sthash.Dd5HiHtt.dpuf

The frustration by the royalty family with Federal policies that in many ways could scuttle the State’s development plans must be a big sore point given the mammoth development projects in Johore and the risk of them being killed prematurely. Johore is in a rapid phase of economic development, probably the fastest pace among all the Malaysian states and huge funds are involved. Failure for these projects to take off is something the Johore royalties will not swallow without a good fight, and secession is a last option that may be considered if the big plans are put to risk.

With a small city state like Singapore, 1/100 the size of Johore, succeeding in going alone, big states like Johore, Sarawak and Sabah, with huge natural resources, land and people and good leaderships, cannot do worse and breaking off to found new states is a very attractive option. Singapore and many smaller countries in the world have proven that small states can carve out a living and be sustainable as small economies. Bigger states like Johore would have lesser problems with sustainability issues. Johore is self sufficient in everything and an independent Johore, Sarawak or Sabah and as new members in Asean would be a natural outcome. Brunei is doing exceptionally well too in Asean as an independent state.

The fear of the politicians in KL turning Malaysia upside down and burning is very real. The cries for independence and statehood to the more progressive and dynamic leaders who could be founders of new nation states and to be able to chart the destinies of their people and country in their chosen path, to be in full control, must be a very attractive and sexy inspiration. Why would they want to let foolish politicians to destroy their plans for their states and people?

If the politicians in KL do not get their acts together and continue to run down Malaysia, the secession dream could become a reality. The Johore royalties are no longer the little village sultans but sophisticated and worldly statesmen with clear vision of what is good for their people and state. They would not tolerate imbecile politicians to ruin their plans and statehood.

The prophecy of the 6 prime ministers of Malaysia in the name ‘Rahman’ is coming to an end with Najib as the last PM. After him, there is no mention of another PM. What would it be for Malaysia, who would it be as the next PM, or would it be a case of no more PMs?