JOHOR BARU: Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has come out with a strongly-worded reply to Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s recent criticism against the crown prince. In a statement issued on the Southern Tiger’s Facebook page, Tunku Ismail said he had been verbally attacked by Nazri for expressing an opinion and for reminding the country’s leaders about their responsibilities to the people. "All I did is to remind the leaders of the country that they have a responsibility to serve the people, and for this, I am attacked," said Tunku Ismail referring to Nazri’s call on Saturday for him to relinquish his royal title if he intended to be involved the politics. On June 5, Tunku Ismail had made a remark on the same Facebook page about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s non-appearance at the Nothing2Hide public forum. "Apparently my gentle reminder has been met with a rather hostile response from a minister. If I got such a reply, then what chances does the rest of the rakyat have?" said the crown prince. Yesterday, Tunku Ismail did not mince his words when he said that Nazri was not above everyone else. "You are a minister, not a God from the heavens who (is) lord above everybody. "Do not think the people of this country exist to provide you with position and wealth, but the position exists for you to serve the people." Tunku Ismail said he did not mind receiving brickbats for what he said, and that he has no intention to urge any leader to step down. "I never told anybody to step down or resign, only to remind politicians of their roles and responsibilities. If you cannot deal with that, it just shows your arrogance to the people," he said.
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