Malaysia: Were Mahathir’s remarks about ‘reclaiming’ Singapore and Indonesia’s Riau Islands aimed at Johor’s sultan?

• In a speech mentioning lands that Malaysia had ceded in the past, the ex-PM reportedly suggested they should be ‘given back’ – but he said his comments had been misconstrued
• While some Singaporeans accused him of fomenting ill will between the neighbours, observers in Malaysia said the remarks were likely a veiled jab at the sultan of Johor