Tunku Ismail on attacks and influence: 'Learn to accept it, or try to finish me off'

SHAH ALAM – The Regent of Johor (TMJ), Tunku Mahkota Ismail has finally addressed recent attempts to link him to several high-profile criminal incidents.

He firmly denied any involvement in the cases that have captured national attention, including the acid attack on national footballer Faisal Halim and the assault involving a group of ‘skinheads’ at a local punk concert.

Responding to the rumours, Tunku Ismail made it clear that neither he nor his football club, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), would resort to such actions.

“Whispers and speculations tried to associate me with the Faisal Halim incident. Let me be clear: neither I nor JDT would stoop to such a low level. I am a soldier. If I have something to say or do, I will not hide behind cowardly actions like that,” he wrote on Facebook.

He also addressed insinuations linking him to the recent assault at a punk concert involving individuals from the ‘skinhead’ subculture.

“Some have tried to link that incident to me. A local punk concert, no less. Does my face look like someone who spends time headbanging at underground punk gigs?” he said with sarcasm.

Tunku Ismail acknowledged that some people may feel threatened by the extent of his influence across various sectors in Malaysia.

However, he made it clear that he has no intention of stepping back or fading away.

“If anyone is unsettled by my influence, that is their problem. It is part of the ecosystem. I am only 41, and my influence, power, experience, and resources will only grow from here. Influence, in my position, is not optional — it is inevitable. Over time, it will only strengthen.

“So here is my advice...learn to accept it, or try to finish me off completely,” he added.