Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia today said it will snub the Johor palace should the editors be, hypothetically, summoned to be scolded over its reports criticising the Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014.

 

In a column today under the name Awang Selamat, the pseudonym used by its senior editors, it said this possibility had been raised among the media circle.

 

"In fact, in a modern era particularly within the new media landscape, there is no reason for the palace to summon editors or journalists at a whim, what more to be scolded. That is not right.

 

"Even Awang, being a media boss, will not respond to the summons for such purposes unless it is an invitation to buka puasa (break fast) or other matter where we can all feel comfortable," it said in  Mingguan Malaysia , the Sunday edition of  Utusan Malaysia .

 

He added if the palace wanted to give any explanation of criticism it has received, it can send a representative to the media organisation instead.

 

"It is not appropriate for the sultan to lower himself by directly dealing with editors in an uncomfortable situation," it said, adding that this was the norm in Europe, Japan and Thailand.

 

The newspaper added that this was to avoid a "wrong perception" that there were parties being "bullied".

 

"Awang believes even though te Johor sultan is known for his firmness, he is a gentleman who will not lower his status as a raja.

 

"More so in times that have changed," it said.

Bill will give sultan executive power

The bill, if passed, will see the creation of the Johor Housing and Real Property Board and grant the sultan executive power over it, including appointing board members, determining their allowances, scrutinising the board's accounts as well as being empowered to dissolve the board.

This has raised concerns that it will blur the lines between the monarchy and the executive, undermining the principle of separation of powers.

The bill aims to form a board to promote and undertake the development of housing and real estate property in Johor.