We are responsible for Malaysia, says Dr. M after the TMJ explosion

PUTRAJAYA: Dr. Mahathir Mohamad defended today a member of his cabinet after the Crown Prince of Johor accused the Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, of to interfere in the affairs of the state.

The Prime Minister reacted to comments from Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ), Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who said that the problems related to the development of Pulau Kukup were not the responsibility of the federal government.

Mahathir denied that Putrajaya intervened in the affairs of Johor.

"We have not approached the Sultan," he told reporters today.

"All we have touched, is that Pulau Kukup should not be developed (and) it should remain as a forest reserve, especially such as it is, a special mangrove forest.

"We do not want the mangrove forest to be reduced to development. It may be a sultanized country, but it can not be developed, "he said.

Yesterday, Tunku Ismail called Xavier from outside, claiming that his ministry was not competent to "override the Constitution of Johor State".

"The only one who can change the constitution is the ruler. The letter Johor issued clearly states that Pulau Kukup will remain protected as a national park, "he said.

He said that Johor would treat the issue of "our own ways".

"It's Johor, where a constitution existed even before the formation of Malaysia," said TMJ.

Mahathir said today that Putrajaya was responsible for the whole of Malaysia.

"Malaysians are not foreigners, the federal government are not foreigners," said Mahathir.

"We are responsible for everything that happens throughout the country."

The Cabinet has previously decided that Pulau Kukup would remain a national park.