Bar wants Johor bill amended to avoid opening Sultan to attack
(The Malay Mail) – The Malaysian Bar urged the Johor government today to temporarily withdraw its housing board bill until all references to the Sultan is removed, warning that granting administrative powers to the Ruler would expose him to possible criticism.
In a statement here, Bar Council chief Christopher Leong said the move would also be a departure from the principles of a constitutional monarchy, which was not envisaged under the Johor Constitution and the Federal Constitution.
“Under such a system of government, while powers and functions are carried out in the name of the head of state, the exercise of executive functions and powers must lie with the State Government that is democratically elected by the rakyat,” he said.
Leong said the Bar “is unable to agree” with the contention of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin who argued recently that the Johor Sultan would not have direct executive control under the proposed Bill, the Johor Housing and Property Board bill, that is set to be tabled on Monday.
In a report on New Straits Times yesterday, Khaled was quoted as saying that executive powers remain with the mentri besar — who would automatically assume the post of chairman of the board under the proposed enactment.
“Under the bill, the Sultan of Johor can appoint members of the board on the advice of the mentri besar, which is similar to the power that the sultan has at the moment,” he said.
“The news report today (yesterday) that said the Sultan of Johor would be given authority over the board is not true. This is because I will be the chairman of the board, with executive powers,” Khaled added.
But in disagreeing, Leong pointed out today that the bill provides that the “Ruler or the State Authority may at any time direct such person as he may appoint to make an investigation of the books, accounts and transactions of the Board”.
The bill further requires the housing board to submit to the “Ruler and the State Authority the annual budget, annual audited accounts and the annual report of the Board”, he noted.
