“An accurate and swift response from authorities will deter rumour mongers from spreading confusion and hate,” he said in a statement.

Sultan Ibrahim said he did not want his “Bangsa Johor” to turn on each other.

“I cannot emphasise enough on the need for racial understanding, unity and tolerance.”

The Johor ruler’s statement followed the denial by the education ministry that an SPM workshop at SMK Infant Jesus Convent had discriminated against non-Muslim students.

The ministry said the workshop was broken up into different sessions to avoid disrupting the festivities for students celebrating Chinese New Year.

It was responding to a claim that the school had held the workshop only for Muslim students.

The ministry said the school should have communicated details about the workshop better.