Johor sultan drives Dr Mahathir to airport in Proton Saga after 'frank meeting'

JOHOR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s meeting with Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar ended at 5.25pm on Thursday (Jan 10), with the ruler driving the prime minister to Senai airport for Dr Mahathir to return to Kuala Lumpur.

Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had a frank exchange of views with the Sultan of Johor, and both of them agreed to keep communication channels open to avoid any misunderstanding in the future.

Dr Mahathir said Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and he agreed they should communicate honestly and not hide behind issues.

“I can communicate with him. We agreed to be frank, say things directly, not keep them hidden. He gave his views and I gave mine.

“I spoke to him about peoples’ perception about him and he accepted them well. We agreed in future if there was any problem I would contact Tuanku.

“We agreed if there was anything we can contact each other or we could meet up,” he told reporters after his meeting with the sultan at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Baru.

Dr Mahathir said the last time they met was when he left office more than 20 years ago.

The prime minister said they did not discuss the upcoming election of the Malaysian King during the meeting.

“That is for the Rulers’ Council to decide. It has nothing to do with me,” said Dr Mahathir.

“We talked normally. All types of problems were discussed but I don’t have to disclose them,” he said.

After their meeting, Sultan Ibrahim drove the prime minister in a first generation Proton Saga to Senai airport for Dr Mahathir to return to Kuala Lumpur.

The blue Proton Saga was a gift to Sultan Ibrahim’s father, Sultan Iskandar, by the federal government headed by Dr Mahathir in 1985. Sultan Iskandar was the King of Malaysia then.

Dr Mahathir said the car is 34 years old and it shows that Proton had the capacity to build quality cars.

“The car is good. I gave it to his father in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a manual and its clock still works and it drives good.

“I believe it is a good endorsement for Proton. The car has done 22,000KM. The price at that time was RM17,000,” he said. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT