SERDANG, April 11 — The federal government is authorised to comment on Johor’s affairs as the state is part of the federation, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

Responding to Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s warning to unnamed parties not to interfere with his state's affairs, the prime minister said his administration only refrained from minding the business of foreign territories.

“I believe Johor is a part of this country.

“Unless, of course, it is a foreign country, I don’t interfere in the internal affairs of foreign countries,” he told the media when met after the launch of the Malaysia Autoshow 2019 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), here today.

Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim said Johor still has a sultan and that he as its Ruler, would make the best decision for the people of Johor when the time comes.

His statement came after Dr Mahathir said the role of appointing the new Johor mentri besar lies with the party that won the election, not with the Johor sultan.

The row between the Johor ruler and Dr Mahathir followed the PM’s announcement in Parliament yesterday that Datuk Osman Sapian tendered his resignation as Johor MB Monday.

Dr Mahathir added that the replacement of the position must come from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which he is chairman.