Years ago there were suggestion for Kelantan to leave Malaysia as an independent state or join other country, just because the overheated political differences between PAS and Umno.
Those who made the suggestion were not only politicians and the laymen but also student leaders and opportunists. Ironically, the Kelantanese themselves opposed the idea, calling it as 'over-personalised' and 'over-politicised'.
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During that era (80s and 90s) the Pattani Liberation Movement was also contemplating on a merger with Malaysia, particularly Kelantan. After being 'stomped' by the army, the idea had then fizzled out.
And since the past few years, we heard about plans to bring out Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia over the allegations that Putrajaya had not been fair to both states, and that the Malaysia Declaration was not a solid document to bind the two with the Peninsula.
During the last General Election in 2013, there were suggestions for Kedah to take back Penang as one of the means to 'neutralise' Pakatan Rakyat, particularly the DAP.
By history, Penang is still under lease from Kedah, and that idea makes sense, at least.
However, Malaysians hate it when the Suluks infiltrated Sabah and attack Lahad Datu in 2013, claiming the state was theirs under the agreement with the colonial power British about 100 years ago. However, the United Nations has recognised Sabah as a legitimate state in Malaysia.
And last week, when elected Philippine's president Duterte avowed he will purse the claim on Sabah, Wisma Putra and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman quickly issued statement that Sabah will forever remain as part of Malaysia.
Some Malaysians say, 'let them try it' while others challenge Duterte to 'test us'.
Yesterday, Tengku Mahkota Johor drew attention to his latest statement about the state - lashing out at those who criticise or not happy with the state to ask Prime Minister Najib Razak to remove Johor from Malaysia.
I don't know who and how many people do not like Johor, and what kind of criticism that irked TMJ to issue such a statement!
Johor is my 'home', having studied and enjoyed the 'bringing up' there. But I think those who made unpleasant remarks about Johor have got personal matters buried in their heart and mind. Just like others who show dislike toward other states as well.
The TMJ, of course, can say anything (or do what he wishes) about and for Johor. Being the heir to the throne, he should be seen as a leader who really cares for the state and his subjects. But we cannot please everybody...we are just human!
The stigma about 'jangan kahwin orang Kelantan' and 'jangan kahwin orang Negeri Sembilan' is still there although subsiding. So much were said about it during the early days but it was treated as 'wrong personal perception' of uncivilised people.
Also, in the past few years, politicians of both divides have been pointing fingers at each other: "If you don't like Malaysia, go find other country that suits you!"
In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait for claiming the sultanate was once part of Iraq. It was a 'passport' for the US and its Western allies to attack, conquer and take its oil for almost ten years.
Johor is a rich, beautiful state. Having TMJ is something the Johorians should be proud of. He is young, vibrant and very protective of his state and his rakyat. I just hope he doesn't pay much attention to that bad mouths.
If the sultans decide to agree with him, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and probably Terengganu may have left Malaysia a long time ago.
I shook hands twice with his late Almarhum grandfather a long time ago. Given a chance, I would like to shake his also...
Those who made the suggestion were not only politicians and the laymen but also student leaders and opportunists. Ironically, the Kelantanese themselves opposed the idea, calling it as 'over-personalised' and 'over-politicised'.
During that era (80s and 90s) the Pattani Liberation Movement was also contemplating on a merger with Malaysia, particularly Kelantan. After being 'stomped' by the army, the idea had then fizzled out.
And since the past few years, we heard about plans to bring out Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia over the allegations that Putrajaya had not been fair to both states, and that the Malaysia Declaration was not a solid document to bind the two with the Peninsula.
During the last General Election in 2013, there were suggestions for Kedah to take back Penang as one of the means to 'neutralise' Pakatan Rakyat, particularly the DAP.
By history, Penang is still under lease from Kedah, and that idea makes sense, at least.
However, Malaysians hate it when the Suluks infiltrated Sabah and attack Lahad Datu in 2013, claiming the state was theirs under the agreement with the colonial power British about 100 years ago. However, the United Nations has recognised Sabah as a legitimate state in Malaysia.
And last week, when elected Philippine's president Duterte avowed he will purse the claim on Sabah, Wisma Putra and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman quickly issued statement that Sabah will forever remain as part of Malaysia.
Some Malaysians say, 'let them try it' while others challenge Duterte to 'test us'.
Yesterday, Tengku Mahkota Johor drew attention to his latest statement about the state - lashing out at those who criticise or not happy with the state to ask Prime Minister Najib Razak to remove Johor from Malaysia.
I don't know who and how many people do not like Johor, and what kind of criticism that irked TMJ to issue such a statement!
Johor is my 'home', having studied and enjoyed the 'bringing up' there. But I think those who made unpleasant remarks about Johor have got personal matters buried in their heart and mind. Just like others who show dislike toward other states as well.
The TMJ, of course, can say anything (or do what he wishes) about and for Johor. Being the heir to the throne, he should be seen as a leader who really cares for the state and his subjects. But we cannot please everybody...we are just human!
The stigma about 'jangan kahwin orang Kelantan' and 'jangan kahwin orang Negeri Sembilan' is still there although subsiding. So much were said about it during the early days but it was treated as 'wrong personal perception' of uncivilised people.
Also, in the past few years, politicians of both divides have been pointing fingers at each other: "If you don't like Malaysia, go find other country that suits you!"
In 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait for claiming the sultanate was once part of Iraq. It was a 'passport' for the US and its Western allies to attack, conquer and take its oil for almost ten years.
Johor is a rich, beautiful state. Having TMJ is something the Johorians should be proud of. He is young, vibrant and very protective of his state and his rakyat. I just hope he doesn't pay much attention to that bad mouths.
If the sultans decide to agree with him, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and probably Terengganu may have left Malaysia a long time ago.
I shook hands twice with his late Almarhum grandfather a long time ago. Given a chance, I would like to shake his also...