The Sultan of Johor has come forward to express his dismay over the comments said to have been made by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the crime rate in Malaysia’s southernmost state.

NONEIn an interview with the New Straits Times, front-paged by the daily today, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (right) said that he was “offended” by Lim’s remarks in Singapore that the state is dangerous and the risk of kidnapping is high.

“Yes, I was offended when I got to know about that statement, but I don’t want to react because as a ruler, I shouldn’t be dragged into politics.

“Don’t speak for me. I am capable of doing it... I have the interests of my rakyat and also foreigners living in Johor at heart,” he was quoted as saying in the interview, which was also front-paged by Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia.

Sultan Ibrahim, who spoke to the newspaper at its office in Johor Baru yesterday, added that the Johor police led by Mokhtar Shariff are doing their job well.

Lim was alleged to have said during a luncheon in Singapore on Aug 12 that Penang came up tops in crime reduction last year, leading with a drop of 27 percent.

He also allegedly said that in comparison, a Singaporean “is likely to get kidnapped” in Johor, making Penang a more attractive travel and business destination.  

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, has since said that the statement made during a luncheon with about 20 foreign correspondents, was part of a “private conversation”.

He, however, refused to deny or confirm that he had denigrated Johor, fearing that his further statements on the matter will be “twisted”.

‘He should apologise’

Meanwhile, attending an event in his home state yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, a Johorean, said Lim should apologise for his “irresponsible” statement.

“When I promote Malaysia abroad I never say don’t go to Penang or Selangor,” he was reported by Berita Harian to have said, naming two of the four Pakatan Rakyat-held states.

Muhyiddin also said that Penang, too, had a crime issue, and both Penang and Johor enjoyed reductions in crime rates compared to last year because of the concerted efforts of the police.

As such, he said Lim should not try to take credit for the improved crime rate.


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