Johor Property Bill raises bipartisan concerns
One has to ask: Why, Why, Why is MB Mohamed Khalid Nordin insisting on introducing a new law which both sides of politics in probably the first demo of bipartisanship have frowned upon?
Ktemoc Konsiders
Though the proposed Johor State Property Law is only a state bill, it seems to have in general drawn BN and Pakatan (including the federal sides) together in a bipartisan concern over a new law which may unwittingly drag HRH into government administration by conferring him with executive powers when HRH like other HRH and the Agong is only a constitutional monarch.
Yes, the common grounds seem to be worries about the State Sultan’s role in the bill which will shatter the construct of a constitutional monarch, and worse, raises questions on his associated responsibilities, as it’s an administrative (legal too?) concept that executive powers carry commensurate responsibilities and thus public accountability.
In a worst case scenario where HRH may be called to account for the Housing & Real Property Boards’ actions, the demand for accountability may possibly destroy the hitherto immunity of HRH, which of course no one wants.
Just to obtain a picture of how HRH may be liable, TMI informsus the proposed law has ‘… provisions that allow the state ruler to appoint members and determine its budget, raising fears that the constitutional state monarch could have a hand in the state’s administrative affairs’.
If HRH does end up having a hand in the state’s admin affairs, then he becomes a typical public servant who may be criticized, complained against and be subjected to various other consequences unbefitting those for a royal person.
Let’s not forget in Malaysia the monarchy at both state and federal level is of the constitutional variety, and would not have the executive powers that the Johor state bill will endow on HRH.
The remaining absolute monarchs in the world are the rulers of some Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and in the local region, the Sultan of Brunei.
Who is pushing such a novel but constitutionally questionable law?
Well, he’s none other than Johor MB Mohamed Khalid Nordin!
Despite mounting concerns by constitutional law experts and politicians on both sides of politics including PM Najib who warns Johor to ensure the proposed law follows the Federal Constitution, meaning and asserting (in polite Malay-speak) that HRH is only a constitutional monarch, the Johor MB seems hell-bent on airing the bill in the state DUN on Monday.
