Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said this in an exclusive interview which was published by The New Straits Times today.
“Johor medals and titles are the most difficult to get in the country. The state government does the first vetting, then the Johor Council of the Royal Court conducts the second vetting.
“The Tunku Mahkota Johor then does the third round of vetting,” he told the daily of the convention that was put in place by his father and when he was the Tunku Mahkota.
Sultan Ibrahim added that under his reign, it will be more difficult to obtain titles from the Johor palace.
“When my birthday approaches, many agents claim to sell Johor datukships. I want to send the message that Johor titles are not for sale. There are no agents to obtain them.
“I will issue a decree through the Johor Council of the Royal Court. This year, for instance, I might award only one or two datukships,” the Ruler was quoted as saying by the NST.
He added that unlike other states, Johor Datuks were not part of any “Datuks” association and have no right to use any form of emblem indicating as such.
Sultan Ibrahim also spoke up on the issue of how too many people seemed to have such titles from the state and federal governments these days.
“In Malaysia, if I were to close my eyes and throw a pebble, it may hit the head of a Datuk and that same pebble may bounce off the head of another Datuk, and if luck has it, the pebble may also hit a Tan Sri.
“Last year, there were 62 Tan Sris. It is easy to get a Tan Sri. There were agents who came to see me and told me that I have Tan Sri quotas for sale and wanted to give me RM2 million for the title.
“I told the agent, whom I do not wish to name because it would be embarrassing, to get lost. I do not sell titles,” Sultan Ibrahim told the NST, adding that he was not concerned however, of what happened in other states.
Meanwhile, Sultan Ibrahim also dropped hints of his dissatisfaction with some people who were awarded datukships by the state, saying they were free to return the title if they didn’t like it.
“Another unique thing about the datukship from Johor is that if someone does not like it, he can give it back. Anyone who gets a title from Johor can return it and I will accept it back with a sincere heart.
“If they feel they are no longer qualified to uphold the title from Johor, they can give it back. Those who feel the heat know who they are,” he was quoted as saying.
However, the ruler said he had no intention of revoking any medals or titles at the moment.
“I am a humble servant of God. If they don’t like it, they can give it back though I have revoked some before.
“There was a datukship title that I rescinded from a lawyer who cheated others by faking a signature. That person is not qualified to have the title.”