Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has revealed that he too felt slighted over Dr Mahathir Mohamad's “Bugis pirate” remarks.

“I am of Bugis descent. The Sultan of Selangor (Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah) is of Bugis descent. Many of the people in Johor are of Bugis descent.

“My roots are from Riau Linga. There are a lot of Bugis. How would the Bugis feel?” he was reported as saying by Berita Harian.

Sultan Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with Media Prima group in conjunction with his 59th birthday, said the Bugis were seafarers who guarded crossings of interests and did not destroy ships sailing through the Straits of Malacca.

Earlier this month, Sultan Sharafuddin (photo) rebuked Mahathir, describing the former premier's remarks as an attempt to insult and incite hatred towards the Bugis community.

Whereas the Selangor Royal Council opined that Mahathir should be investigated under the Sedition Act.

Mahathir made the remarks during the Oct 14 anti-kleptocracy rally in Petaling Jaya in reference to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's ancestry.

“Maybe he can trace his ancestry to Bugis pirates. Somehow, he lost his way and came to Malaysia. Go home to Bugis (Sulawesi)!” he had said.

Sultan Sharafuddin said these remarks were clearly offensive to the Bugis community and depicted them as originating from “pirates, thieves and criminals”.

However, Mahathir, who is being investigated by the police over this issue, argued that he had only targeted Najib and not the entire Bugis community.

Johor sultan: Respect, not hate

Meanwhile, Sultan Ibrahim said such remarks are seen as wanting to divide the races.

“What if I say the Chinese are robbers? Would the Chinese be slighted? Indian murderers? The Indians would feel slighted.

“This is what I said (remarks which cause) division. Making races hate each other. We should be respecting each other,” added the ruler.

Sultan Ibrahim said that all races played a role in the development of Johor and urged them to remain united no matter what happens.

“Malays, Indians, Chinese are all 'Bangsa Johor'.

“When I mentioned 'divided', it is not only the Malays becoming divided, division among Indians, division among Chinese. This means Johor would be divided.

“If all are united in supporting the Johor administration, I feel there would be no problems in Johor. If you want Johor to progress, listen to my advice.

“This what I have been saying, the best present the people can give me... I want the people to be united. There is nothing else I ask for,” he added.

In his birthday message on Wednesday, Sultan Ibrahim said he would not permit the “power struggle crisis” between Malay leaders to continue in his state.

“As a ruler who has promised and pledged to safeguard the interest of Malays and Islam, I would not allow the power struggle crisis between Malay leaders to continue that would in the end cause Malays to be split and become weak.

"Day by day, Malays are dragged into a credibility crisis that tarnishes the image and confidence in institutions led by Malays, which in the end diminishes the confidence, influence and true power of Malays,” he added.