In a statement issued in conjunction with his 59th birthday, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar touched on the "power struggle crisis" between Malay leaders in the state.
The ruler said he would not allow this crisis to continue.
Sultan Ibrahim said he was proud of the tolerance between different races and religions in the state but was worried about the crisis affecting the Malays.
"On this historic day, I would also like to express my deep concern over the crisis that is haunting the Malays at this moment.
“As a ruler who has promised and pledged to safeguard the interest of Malays and Islam, I will not allow the power struggle crisis between Malay leaders to continue that would in the end cause Malays to be split and become weak...