JOHOR PALACE GUIDANCE A 'COMPASS' IN LEADING STATE, SAYS ONN HAFIZ

By Hasnah Jusid

JOHOR BAHRU, March 14 (Bernama) -- The advice and guidance His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, have served as an important guide for Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi in leading the state administration over the past four years.

Onn Hafiz, 47, said the teachings, guidance and experience shared by Sultan Ibrahim, who is the Sultan of Johor,  and Tunku Ismail have acted as a “compass” for him in navigating his responsibilities since being appointed Menteri Besar in March 2022.

Among the messages he remembers most vividly, he said, was the advice given by the Sultan of Johor when he first assumed the post four years ago.

“Datuk, when you become a leader, put yourself a little lower than the grass. Do not be arrogant or proud because you lead to serve the people. That is very important,” he recalled.

He said this during an exclusive interview with Bernama led by Editor-in-Chief Arul Raju Durar Raj at Saujana, the official residence of the Johor Menteri Besar, recently.

According to Onn Hafiz, those words remain firmly etched in his memory and continue to remind him to remain humble and trustworthy while carrying out his duties as head of the state administration.

At the same time, he said the Regent of Johor had also frequently advised him not to forget the identity and values of Johoreans even as the state continues to develop.

“Datuk, if we want to develop Johor, we must never forget who we are as Johoreans. Develop the state and the nation, but at the same time do not forget who we are as a people,” he said, recalling the Regent’s advice.

Onn Hafiz added that he meets the Regent of Johor several times each week to discuss various matters related to state administration, including the welfare of the people, the economy and infrastructure development.

He said the support and guidance from the Johor Palace have been a major catalyst in motivating him to continue serving the people.

“I am deeply grateful to His Majesty the Sultan of Johor and the Regent of Johor for the many lessons and guidance they have given me,” he said.

When asked about the extent of their support during his four years in office, Onn Hafiz acknowledged that their assistance and advice had been invaluable.

“They help me a lot ...very much. The guidance and advice from the Sultan of Johor and the Regent of Johor have been tremendous,” he said.

He added that the role of the Johor Palace in state governance is not something new but rather a longstanding tradition.

“I believe that even since the time of the first Johor Menteri Besar, this has been the practice, where the Johor Palace plays an important role in the administration of the state,” he said.

Onn Hafiz was sworn in as Johor’s 19th Menteri Besar on March 15, 2022, at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Bahru at the age of 44, replacing Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

-- BERNAMA