Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ismail today slammed "outsiders" who pressured the Johor government to water down the Johor Housing and Real Property Enactment Board Bill 2014 by removing the monarch's powers.

In his speech at the Johor state assembly today, he also hinted that state assemblypersons should restore his powers of appointment which was contained in the original version of the bill.

"I cannot agree with the Johor Housing and Real Property Enactment Board Bill 2014 which was passed by the state assembly during the previous sitting.

"This is because it had been amended due to pressure from outsiders who are shallow and do not understand the powers of the monarch in the Johor constitution," he said.

The ruler appeared to be referring to Putrajaya which had pressured the Johor government on the matter, with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( photo ) himself issuing a statement that the bill be consistent with the Federal Constitution.

Sultan Ibrahim said he cannot accede to the bill as it was inconsistent with other enactments in the state such as the Johor Corporation Enactment 1968 which had been used without problem.

 

"Therefore I hope that the state assemblypersons can review the bill and make amendments so that it is consistent with other enactments that have been in force in Johor," he said.

 

Even though Sultan Ibrahim did not explicitly said he wanted his powers to be restored, it is inferred in his reference to the Johor Corporation Enactment which grants him powers of appointment.

 

Power to appoint

Malaysiakini first reported on the bill which grants the sultan the prerogative to appoint members to the housing board as well as approving the board's expenses.

 

This had raised concerns about the monarchy encroaching into executive matters.

 

Subsequently, Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia raised eyebrows with continuous front-page coverage questioning whether the sultan should be allowed a more prominent role in the state's housing policy.

 

In a stinging editorial piece by the usually pro-monarchy newspaper, it said editors of the daily would snub the Johor sultan if he were to summon them for the critical reports.

 

The Johor government eventually gave in , amending the bill requiring the Johor sultan to act on the advice of the menteri besar.

 The Johor Royal Council also assured there would be no abuse of power while Sultan Ibrahim said he will not accede to the bill until after a road show to explain the bill.

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