Mukhriz apologises to Johor Ruler

PETALING JAYA: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has apologised to Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar for not greeting him at Istana Abu Bakar in Pekan, Pahang.

A video of Mukhriz walking past Sultan Ibrahim at the stateroom of Istana Abu Bakar without greeting him has gone viral.

Dignitaries had come to pay their last respects to the former Sultan of Pahang, Paduka Ayahanda Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah, before his burial at the Royal Mausoleum on Thursday.

In a press statement issued later, an aide of the MB revealed that Mukhriz had written to Sultan Ibrahim to express his apologies and seek forgiveness for his careless oversight.

“The Mentri Besar informed His Majesty that the oversight was due to his carelessness and does not reflect the etiquette of the people of Kedah,” the aide stated.

Mukhriz was responding to a video clip of him purportedly refusing to greet the Johor Ruler and Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim. The clip also appeared on Tunku Ismail’s Twitter account.

Tunku Ismail responded with an emoticon of clasped hands after the Friends of Johor’s tweet accused the Prime Minister’s son of being arrogant.

The tweet stated that Tunku Ismail, better known as TMJ, shook hands with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad but that Mukhriz was too arrogant to greet Sultan Ibrahim.

The group also posted photographs showing Sultan Ibrahim and TMJ greeting Dr Mahathir.