Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refused to back down in the wake of Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar telling "certain parties" not to meddle in the state's affairs.<br /><br />Commenting on the sultan's statement, Mahathir said if rulers had the final word on who becomes prime minister or menteri besar, then Malaysia would not be a democratic nation.<br /><br />"I am of the opinion that if we assume that those who can choose the prime minister and choose our menteri besar are the kings, then we are no longer a democratic country," he told a press conference at Parliament this evening.
