Johor MB might still bow to sultan’s wishes, says Dr Mahathir
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today expressed grave reservation over the ability of Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin to advise the Sultan of Johor on the Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014.
Following criticisms over the bill's provisions to empower the sultan in administrative matters, Khaled announced that it would be amended to include include a provision that the sultan will act on his advice.
But Dr Mahathir said Khaled might succumb to the Malay tradition which considered the sultan as the head of state.
"This is the Malay custom, if the sultan says something, it must be followed,” the former prime minister told Malaysiakini.
"I am worried that it would not be the MB advising the sultan, but the sultan advising him."
It had been reported that the bill would empower the sultan to appoint Johor Housing and Real Property Enactment Board members, oversee its accounts and also dissolve the board.
The Johor ruler would also be able to determine the remuneration of board members, approve the appointment of a director and pass the estimated expenses for each following year before seeking the state government’s approval for the allocations.
Khaled's announcement comes as Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders called for a withdrawal of the bill, which they argued undermined constitutional monarchy and gave the sultan executive powers.
Dr Mahathir said the sultan must respect the provisions in the Federal Constitution.
"We adopt a constitutional monarchy. After Merdeka, the country chose this (constitutional monarchy) system. I hope that the Constitution is upheld," Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
PR leaders in Johor, after a meeting last night, said the bill should be deferred until concerns raised by interest groups are addressed.
They called for a select committee under the state assembly to study the amendments in detail.
They also said clauses 24, 27, 39 and 41 of the bill were still problematic and needed further scrutiny. – June 9, 2014.
