2-11-2023 (SINGAPORE) Johor’s Crown Prince, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, expressed his admiration for Singaporean politicians, commending their knowledge and professionalism. He emphasized that the close relations between the Malaysian state of Johor and the Republic of Singapore would persist.
In a podcast on Sunday, Tunku Ismail highlighted that Singapore’s government operates at a level that Johor aspires to achieve. He spoke of his engagements with Singaporean ministers and government officials, appreciating their qualifications, knowledge, and professionalism across various agencies. He noted, “I want to see that (in Johor). I don’t see them as competitors, I see them as a platform I want to reach.”
Tunku Ismail cited the multilingualism of Singapore’s leaders as an example of the qualities he admires. He attributed this to the education system and expressed his intention to enhance the education system in Johor.
During the podcast, he engaged in a discussion with Malaysia’s former health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, and former Umno information chief, Shahril Hamdan, sharing his insights on politics at the federal and state levels and reflecting on his military training experiences in India.
The podcast aired just two days after Tunku Ismail’s father, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, was elected as Malaysia’s next king. When Sultan Ibrahim assumes the role of the 17th king on January 31, 2024, Tunku Ismail is expected to succeed him as the ruler of Johor.
Tunku Ismail affirmed that the friendly ties between Johor and Singapore, which have a history dating back decades to when his late grandfather was Sultan of Johor, will endure. He mentioned significant upcoming infrastructure projects, including the “game changer” Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
The RTS Link, anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026, will connect the Bukit Chagar station in Johor Bahru with the Woodlands North MRT station. It is expected to reduce travel time between the two stations to approximately five minutes, alleviating congestion on the Causeway.
Tunku Ismail expressed hope that the RTS Link, along with a special economic zone between Singapore and Johor currently in development, would facilitate the movement of people between the Republic and Malaysia.
In October, Tunku Ismail extended his gratitude to Singapore after seeking shelter at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok with his family following a shooting incident at the Siam Paragon mall.
He also conducted a three-day official visit to Singapore in July, during which he met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visited the Singapore Armed Forces’ commando unit in his capacity as the Johor Military Force’s commanding officer.
