AN ADDRESS BY HRH THE REGENT OF JOHOR REGARDING INFLUENCE

If what truly bothers you is influence, then I have some unfortunate news: influence isn’t going anywhere. Whether it’s in football, politics, or beyond, it’s part of the ecosystem. I’m only 41, and my influence, authority, experience, power, and financial capacity are only going to increase from here.

For example, I once met a politician in Johor who asked me if the Bazaar Ramadan and all the tents were mine. Really? Do I look like someone who’s out there profiting off Bazaar Ramadan stalls?

Then there was the recent assault at a local concert. Naturally, some people tried to tie it back to me. A local punk concert, no less. Do I strike you as someone who spends his evenings headbanging at underground punk gigs?

And of course, with the Faisal Halim incident, there were whispers and speculation suggesting my involvement. Let’s be clear: neither I nor JDT need to resort to such low and cowardly acts. I’m a military man, if I had something to say or do, I wouldn’t hide behind such idiocy.

It seems that anything and everything that happens must somehow be traced back to me. Fascinating, isn’t it?
The real issue here, I suspect, is not what I’ve done, but the fact that I can. Influence, in my position, is not a choice, it’s an inevitability. And the more time passes, the stronger it gets.

So here’s my humble advice: Learn to live with it… or try your best to finish me off. Because I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to serve my State and Elevate.

His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, The Regent of Johor