JOHOR BAHRU: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, has consented to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad meeting or contacting His Royal Highness in future if there is a need to discuss any issue.
Dr Mahathir said this was among the matters achieved at his audience with Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Bukit Serene here yesterday.
The Sultan and he agreed that in future he could communicate with the Ruler, Dr Mahathir told reporters at the Senai International Airport before flying back to Kuala Lumpur.
Asked what else was discussed at their 90-minute meeting, the prime minister said various matters were touched upon but it was not necessary to relate them.
On whether the election of the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong was discussed, Dr Mahathir said the matter of the Rulers had nothing to do with him.
Dr Mahathir, who is chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, said the last time he met Sultan Ibrahim was almost 20 years ago when he stepped down as the fourth prime minister, in 2003.
Referring to yesterday’s audience, he said: “Ours was a normal discussion, as usual.
“I can communicate with His Royal Highness; we agreed that we will be frank… talk openly, with nothing to hide. His Royal Highness has his views… I have my views.”
Dr Mahathir had flown to the Senai airport at 3.30pm in a special aircraft.
He arrived at the palace at about 4pm, and was welcomed by Sultan Ibrahim and the Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian and Johor State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.
In a post on his official Facebook account, Sultan Ibrahim said the meeting lasted for more than an hour during which various matters were discussed, and the prime minister returned to Kuala Lumpur.
After the audience, Sultan Ibrahim himself drove Dr Mahathir to the airport in a blue first-edition Proton Saga bearing the registration number PROTON 1.
Dr Mahathir had presented the car to the sultan’s father, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, in 1985. – Bernama
