Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has likened Johoreans who believe "lies" peddled on the Forest City development in Pasir Gudang, to individuals who committed treason.

"For Johoreans who are influenced, it is like they have committed treason.

"All my hard work, my love, my efforts visiting all the districts every year, if this is what they show me, it is like they have disobeyed me," he said in an interview with the New Straits Times.

The Pasir Gudang development on four reclaimed land islands is fodder for political debate, with the opposition questioning the sale of freehold land to foreigners.

Sultan Ibrahim clarified that the land is indeed freehold, but the title is held by the company, not the buyers.

The buyers only hold the strata titles, which is also freehold.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak earlier said the Forest City properties were sold on a 99-year lease, but the developer has advertised it as freehold properties.

"We are not giving away Malaysian citizenship. The ones who came up with the Malaysia My Second Home concept was not me.

"Go ask the person who came up with it," the sultan said.

He was likely referring to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was prime minister when the Malaysia My Second Home concept was introduced.

Meanwhile, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is former Johor menteri besar while the party's youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman is a Johorean who once served in the Johor menteri besar's office.

Outsiders should get lost

Telling "outsiders" to butt out of Johor matters, the sultan said Johoreans who live outside of the state and have political ambitions should also "get lost".

"My advice for people from outside Johor, whether they are in politics or otherwise, is do not interfere with Johor's matters.

"To the outsiders who come and divide the people of Johor or Johoreans who live in Kuala Lumpur and have political ambitions and return to divide the people, I say get lost, you are not welcome here," he said.

The Forest City development has been heavily marketed to China investors, prompting questions of sovereignty.

It is also developed by Country Garden, China's third largest developer, but China's capital controls may jeopardise buyers' ability to pay, a Hong Kong daily reported.

Meanwhile, the sultan denied claims that he was selling Johor land for a profit.

Instead, the monarch said he had purchased a piece of land in Tanjung Puteri at a premium, so the government can make a profit.

"I sold land? If I tell you that I have bought land, you won't believe it," he said.

He said the land was valued at RM100 million but he paid the government thrice the price.

"I overpaid but nobody knew. Just ask the land office," he was quoted as saying.

READ ALSO: Fact Check - Of Forest City and sovereignty