No constitution anomaly, just perversion and abuse
YOURSAY ‘Y ou can have the US constitution applied here and it will still not work ’
'Johor bill could pass due to constitution anomaly'
Onyourtoes:
There is nothing wrong with our constitution. It is the perverted interpretation of our constitution, perpetrated by reactionary and non-democratic forces in the country.
Seriously, you can have the US constitution applying here and it will still not work. Constitutional expert Aziz Bari, I think you are reading lots of things that are not there in the first place.
The offices of state secretary, the state finance secretary and state legal officer are to work under the state MB and exco which are responsible to the people.
If your argument holds water, then the chief secretary to the government and all secretaries-general of ministries too, must be elected.
Controversies arise because some parties have deliberately made use of government servants to play politics in order to subvert the duly elected government. It is impossible to have clear definitions on everything?
If you read the federal constitution as a whole and if you are still not convinced that it is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, then I don’t think you deserve to be called a constitutional law expert.
The constitution should always be interpreted in ways that yield to the will of the people. Any other interpretation (whether by the legislature and the judiciary) is a subversion of the spirit and intent of our constitution, period.
Just ask ourselves one simple question: Is the government of Malaysia and all the state governments within the government of the people, for the people and by the people?
Kim Quek: There is no need to define “constitutional monarchy” in the constitution, the same way as there is no need to define “parliamentary democracy”.
These terms describe the concepts of government, which are attested to by the substance contained in the constitution. I agree with Christopher Leong’s observation.
The specific functions and powers given to the sultan under the proposed bill do breach both the federal constitution and the state constitution.
In fact, such a direct involvement by the ruler in the administration of the state’s housing industry at both the macro and micro level, is obviously an anomaly that affronts the principles of constitutional monarchy upon which this nation was founded.
Casey: Prince Charles had this to say of monarchy: "Something as curious as the monarchy won't survive unless you take account of people's attitudes. After all, if people don't want it, they won't have it."
Malaysia, like its former colonial master, embraces constitutional monarchy. The rights, privileges and the largely ceremonial function of the royal institution are enshrined in the constitution and should be upheld.
Any attempt to usurp this constitutional equilibrium may result in inconsistency and subject the delicate balance - of people and palace relationship - to perils with unintended consequences.
Gravity: When did we ever follow the constitution?
Najebon: Let the Johor sultan run the state. Nobody will complain - neither BN nor Pakatan. Anyway it was Tunku Abdul Rahman who convinced the sultan to give up his power when the British wanted to go home.
By right, the British were supposed to hand over the running of the state back to sultan. It is big sacrifice for the sultan. Look at Brunei sultan who was smart enough not to join Malaysia. Otherwise, all that country’s oil revenue would have gone to benefit Umno cronies.
Anonymous #8570139: This menteri besar should take over the prime minister’s post as he has succeeded where the current premier has failed.
By the introduction of this bill, he has diverted the whole nation's attention from all the existing acts of abuses, corruption, ills and sickness of the Umno/BN government.
With hudud gone, is this the replacement to cover-up whatever that's about to blow? Hope not, otherwise, it must be something damned serious to involve the royal household.
Groo TheWanderer: This is a step toward a republic.
Nippon: In the future, any objection to decisions made by the ruler within the bill will be labeled as 'traitors' and against 'Islam'.
As is it now, when the power is not accorded yet - nobody dares to openly oppose. When it is legally accorded, is there any turning back?
Argonist: When are the other states with sultans going to follow suit?
Ramachandran Muniandy: In the Federated Malay states all district officers, state secretaries, financial secretaries and legal advisors are appointed by the Federal Public Service Commission.
But in unfederated states like Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, the State Public Service Commission appoints all heads of the government. Recently the Johor sultan appointed his relative as state legal advisor.
But Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is a BN MB should adhere to Najib. But will he? This is what happens when a weakling is the head of government.
If such lawlessness goes on there were won’t be any Persekutuan Tanah Melayu but Persekutuan Tanah Orang Asing. Look at all the recent dealing of Johor government with foreign companies especially China and Singapore in the name of developments of Iskandar projects.
Fairnsquare: "Curiously, the most vocal detractors of the bill appear to be coming from within the ruling party itself." Not necessarily so, as the politicians have now lost a lucrative opportunity to gain personally.
His Royal Highness, with the thoughts of his subjects in mind, will ensure a fair administration of this state. Daulat Tuanku.
Fair Play: I suppose this is good news for the right-thinking rakyat. The only way forward is to overhaul the federal constitution.
To do that, both sides of the political divides must come together to find a solution or solutions that would strengthen our constitution for a better future for an all-inclusive rakyat. The nation needs to move forward in the face of intense global competition.
Doc: Umno may have fought tooth and nail to ensure Johor does not fall into Pakatan's hands in the last GE but they now seem to be losing control of Johor to the Johor sultan.
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