Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia has taken aim at Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin for refusing to postpone the tabling of the Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014.

 

Under the newspaper's pseudonym Awang Selamat, it raised a series of rumours casting doubt on Khaled's credibility but in its usual softly-softly manner, then said it did not think they were true.

 

The daily started by stating that the rakyat were hoping that Khaled would truly exercise his executive powers in the state government.

 

"Word in Johor is his (Khaled's) hands are tied and is susceptible to much interference from the palace particularly concerning property development.

 

"Awang is not sure of the veracity of this claim. Perhaps there is basis to it or it is just something that is widely perceived," it said in the newspaper's Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysia .

 

The daily said the people of Johor were growing restless over developments in the state.

 

"They share many stories in the property sector and leaked information from state civil servants bubbles with unease.

 

'Khaled weak - not'

 

"Then came the wild rumour that concluded Khaled is weak and subservient, which Awang does not think so," it said.

 

After raising these rumours out of the blue, the newspaper said it was merely a dilemma faced by any menteri besar that may be misunderstood.

 

"Awang still supports Khaled and believes he has huge potential and will stand out more after this," it said.

 

The newspaper said Khaled should not take the "safe path" and this issue will reflect his leadership quality.

 

“Remember that he (Khaled) is a state assemblyperson elected by the rakyat and given the mandate by the federal government to be menteri besar.

 

"Prioritise the rakyat's interest regardless of what the challenges are. This must be the focus, especially in a critical period," it said.

 

The remarks appeared in the column "Bisik-bisik Awang Selamat" where the newspaper comments on various matters, normally ranging from four to six issues.

 

However, in a break from the norm, the entire column was today dedicated to the Johor sultan, the state's property market and its menteri besar.

 

The Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014, if passed, will see the creation of the Johor Housing and Real Property Board  to promote and undertake the development of housing and real estate property in Johor.

 

Utusan's advice for palace

 

It will grant the sultan executive power over the board, including appointing board members, determining their allowances, scrutinising the board's accounts as well as being empowered to dissolve the board.

 

Utusan Malaysia  added many people were angry that Khaled is insistent on tabling the bill despite criticism from various quarters.

 

It further questioned if the state government was so weak that it needed a housing board with the sultan's involvement.

 

"Can the menteri besar guarantee there will be no interference from the sultan even though he (Khaled) has stressed that executive power lies with him?" he said.

 

The newspaper also had a word of advice for the palace, calling for it to be more responsive to criticism.

 

"There are no ill intentions. If these reports (on the housing Bill) angers the sultan, Awang regrets it.

 

"Let the raja be angry as long as the rakyat's voice is carried because the rakyat and raja cannot be separated.

 

"The palace should also be more responsive towards feedback. That is the recipe to make the royal institution more respected and loved," it said.