Dr M worried Johor MB will do royal kowtow
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed concern that Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin will not be able to advice the state sultan with regard to the controversial housing Bill.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed concern that Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin will not be able to advice the state sultan with regard to the controversial housing Bill.
The former prime minister said while amendments are to be made, Khaled might, however, succumb to the Malay tradition which considers the sultan as the head of state.
"This is Malay custom. If the sultan says something, it must be followed.
"I am worried that it will not be the MB advising the sultan, but the sultan advising him," he added.
Land being sold to foreigners
The proposed state law, called the Johor Housing and Property Board Bill 2014, gives power to the sultan to appoint and dissolve the board. It is slated to be tabled in the state legislative assembly today.
Senai assemblyperson Wong Shu Qi told Malaysiakini yesterday that an amendment to enter the provision over the appointment of the board members by the sultan on the advice of the menteri besar would be tabled today.
Mahathir emphasised that the Johor sultan need not encroach into the executive administration, and must respect the provisions in the Federal Constitution.
"We do not have a traditional system as we adopt a constitutional monarchy system. After independence, the country chose this (constitutional monarchy) system. I hope that the constitution is upheld," he said.
Mahathir, who led the country for 22 years, also expressed concern that while Johor is rich, it is selling too many of its properties to foreigners.
However, he commended the Johor government under Khaled for realising this and attempting to fix the matter.
"I heard that much of Johor's land is sold to foreigners. This is not good and is not done by the state government.
"They (the state government) are trying to rectify the situation and this shows the state is firm and knows it is wrong," he said.
Meanwhile, the adviser to the government on Social and Cultural Affairs Rais Yatim said the involvement of the monarchy in the administration of the Johor government would lead to a conflict of interest.
If the involvements of the monarchy continued to take place, it would be seen as undignified, and could be questioned by any quarter, Bernama quoted Rais ( right ) as saying.
"A situation will crop up where a ruler becomes a political target due to unhappiness of certain quarters over any action or decision he makes.
"The practice of sharing power and executive functions might tempt other rulers. A major conflict might occur," Rais said in a statement today in reference to the Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill which was passed by the state assembly passed today.
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