JOHOR BARU: Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim (pic) claims that the Johor royal family is a victim of character assassination and being unfairly criticised over the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, the Johor Crown Prince claimed that many of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's noble deeds were not brought to the attention of the public.

He first re-tweeted Sultan Ibrahim's statement about handing over a plot of land in Bukit Chagar to the government without any cost if it is involved in the Rapid Transit System (RTS) project.

"How much land has the Johor Sultan given to the people and the government until now? Millions have been given to the government. His Majesty managed to settle the government's debt in his second year as sultan. How many millions were given to foundations? News of his good deeds were not publicised," he tweeted.

Tunku Ismail listed the example of the Rumah Impian Bangsa Johor, an affordable housing program here, where the land in Bandar Dato Onn and in Mersing were donated and developed by the Johor Sultan.

"Land for mosques and temples. People going to Haj pilgrims? Thousands were aided by His Majesty. Donations to hospitals. No news," he added in another tweet.

Tunku Ismail then added that "only the 'bad news' was brought to the public's attention".

When another Twitter user asked where the "millions" came from, the Johor Crown Prince said that said that the royal family had been involved in various businesses since 1897, and their allowances (as provided by the state) were donated to various foundations.

He said there was "no news" of these deeds and added: "We are living in a world of perception. This is what you call character assassination."