The royal touch in Johor politics

As political parties from across the divide scramble to rally support ahead of the Johor election this weekend, the influence of one quarter remains evident among a number of voters: the state palace.

In Kampung Melayu Majidee, a villager who called himself Arin said the assistance given by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar over the years had truly been felt by the people.

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said the aid included food and cash assistance.

“We don’t need to wait for a flood before food arrives,” he said.

“Ahead of the fasting month each year, people will come to the village asking if we need rice and cooking oil. When we ask, they say they are from the palace.”

He contrasted this with what he described as a less attentive attitude by the state’s elected representatives.

“I don’t remember the last time any of them came to give us dates,” he said.

Arin and his mother were both born and raised in Johor, and none of his family members have ever migrated to other states.

In Taman Desa Tebrau, Nabila Mustafa agreed that the palace was more conscientious about the people’s welfare than the assemblymen.

The 29-year-old said Sultan Ibrahim always kept a watchful eye on the well-being of his people, adding that this was how the state government was able to carry out its duty efficiently and effectively.

“Since I was in school, I received student donations and zakat aid,” she said.

“I have never had any bureaucratic troubles, unlike my friends in other states.”

Nabila, who studied at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said she had never experienced any problems there either.

“Especially when it came to food,” she added. “As soon as the fasting month rolled by, the queen would hold all sorts of programmes for the breaking of fast, with food and kuih.”

Nabila went on to work in the private sector but continued receiving assistance from the palace, to the point that she was able to buy a house through the Rumah Impian Bangsa Johor programme under the auspices of Yayasan Sultan Ibrahim Johor.

“The house only cost about RM80,000 and is expected to be finished next year,” she said.

“I contacted a housing agent and was told that I would receive RM3,000 from the foundation before even setting foot in the house.

“What else can I say? The palace truly takes care of us in Johor.”

Palace influence 

In Johor, the influence of the palace is seen as able to influence even the pattern of politics in the state.

Those seen as friendly with the palace are more likely to gain the support of the people.

During the campaign period for the Johor election, some politicians were seen approaching the palace with photos of party leaders together with crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim spread on social media.

Among them were former prime minister Najib Razak of Umno and PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin who leads the Perikatan Nasional coalition meanwhile was seen having an audience with the sultan at the palace.

While the narrative of Johor as the birthplace of Umno remains strong, the party was nonetheless overthrown at the last general election, which saw Najib toppled and Johor itself among the states that fell to Pakatan Harapan.

At the Kolam Ayer mosque, a man who introduced himself as Hanif said the palace never made any ado over its assistance, unlike politicians who often leverage their good deeds in order to gain support.

“In Johor Bahru, after the Friday prayers, sometimes those who go to fill up their petrol get it for free because someone pays for it,” he said.

“When we ask, they say it is ‘TMJ’s people’,” he added, referring to the initialism for the Johor crown prince.

“But no one makes a big deal out of it. Those who receive aid know how the palace helps the people.”

But Yusnin Yahya, a local activist, said voters need to be rational and logical in assessing the situation as the state administration depends on the federal government.

He acknowledged the palace’s attention to public welfare but said the elected representatives are the ones who convey the people’s needs and wishes.

“I don’t agree with those who say that we don’t need politicians,” he said.

“But personally, we in Johor appreciate the intervention by the palace because the sultan doesn’t like the charades by politicians.

“He is quite firm and he monitors our welfare – he takes great care of the people.”

While politicians represent the people, he said, the sultan also played a major role in speaking on their behalf.

“He is like the eyes of the people for the Johor excos,” he said. “At exco meetings, they implement policies that are closely monitored by the sultan.

“And he always reminds those who are not excos that they have a duty to go down to the ground themselves.”