Anwar downplays Dr M-Johor palace tiff
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed the ongoing squabble between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Johor palace.
Quizzed on the matter at the Parliament lobby this afternoon, he replied: “No (quarrel)... we are just following the constitution...
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed the ongoing squabble between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Johor palace.
Quizzed on the matter at the Parliament lobby this afternoon, he replied: “No (quarrel)... we are just following the constitution.”
Anwar also refused to be drawn into the exchange between Mahathir and crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, saying the focus now should be on economic problems.
“I just came back from campaigning (in Rantau) yesterday. Now I am focusing on reading the Felda report, which is not easy,” he added.
Mahathir and Tunku Ismail have been crossing swords over the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which Malaysia ratified a month ago, but was forced to withdraw from last week.
The crown prince was a vocal opponent of the treaty, claiming it would threaten the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malays and Islam.
Yesterday, Mahathir said Tunku Ismail was free to criticise the government, but action would be taken if he makes seditious remarks.
This prompted the prince to tweet, “If I have to go down for upholding the constitution, the Malay Rulers, and Islam, by all means. You know where to find me.”
'Referring to the constitution'
Meanwhile, Anwar was also questioned on Mahathir's statement this morning that the party which won the election, and not the palace, will decide who the next Johor menteri besar will be.
The PKR president said the constitution is clear on this matter.
“The prime minister was only referring to the constitution that (the party) which enjoys the majority... but of course, you need to get royal consent...
“I think the prime minister is purely referring to the legal interpretation of the constitution,” he added.
Read more: Quick recap - Mahathir's first royal tussle
Yesterday, Tunku Ismail said it is the prerogative of the sultan to appoint the menteri besar.
The post fell vacant following the resignation of Bersatu's Osman Sapian on Monday.
"The decree to change the menteri besar was made long ago, but there are other people trying to claim credit and mileage, supposedly that it was they who instructed it.
"His Majesty looked into changing the menteri besar for many months. Don't forget that the power to choose the menteri besar is the absolute right of the sultan. Enough of politicking," the prince added.
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