Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should be given a chance to fix his mistakes, said Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

“I know the prime minister has come under much criticism but I say give him a chance.

“There are issues that still need to be tackled, that need to convince the people, that need answers, but I must say that they also need closure.

“Every one of us makes mistakes but we must be prepared to learn from them, make amends and do what is right. Right what is wrong,” the Johor ruler said in an interview with The Star .

Ibrahim stressed that he was above politics, and would not pick sides, including between Najib and his former deputy prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin.

The sultan said whenever he met with either Muhyiddin or Najib, he refrained from talking about politics.

'I am above politics'

"(Muhyiddin) does express his unhappiness. I listen and keep it to myself. I have also met up with the prime minister and avoided speaking to him about politics.

"Let the politician handle politics. I am above politics. If he (the prime minister) needs advice, I am here as a friend," he said.

Ibrahim noted that besides official meetings, Najib often comes for informal meetings in which the two discuss state issues.

This includes the need to improve cooperation with Singapore, something the sultan said Najib understood better than past leaders.

"I do not want to dig up the past, nor do I wish to take a swipe at any politician, active or retired, but the prime minister understands and appreciates the need to work closely and not to repeat the past.

"I find it hard to understand the rationale or irrationality of any Malaysian leader who wants Malaysia to quarrel with Singapore. It’s what I called crooked thinking," he added.

While he did not mention names, it is believed that the sultan was referring to fierce Singapore critic and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir had reportedly accused Najib of bowing down to the southern neighbour by scrapping the so-called "crooked bridge" project.