BN, too, upset with 'royal' housing Bill?

State assemblypersons in Johor are gearing up for a Bill that they are worried will blur the lines between the executive and monarchy.

But many are concerned that they would end up on the front-page of Utusan Malaysia and be branded "anti-monarchy" if they voiced their opposition.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, the Umno-owned newspaper raised eyebrows when it, too, in a front-page report raised similar concerns about the Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014.

The report, which featured a large image of the Johor sultan, bore the headline: "Wajarkah?" (Is it proper?) with a sub-headline saying: "Johor government wants to table a law to give sultan power in government administration."

A high-level source, who did not want be named, toldMalaysiakini that in informal discussions between state assemblypersons from both sides of the divide, BN backbenchers in Johor have also indicated their unhappiness with the Bill.

The source added that this sentiment was echoed by the ruling coalition at the federal level.

However, Johor BN Backbenchers Club president Samsol Bari Jamil, when contacted, was coy on whether he approved of the Bill, merely stating that he would go along with it if it was not against the state constitution.

Ultimately, only BN has the numbers to ensure the Bill is changed in accordance with the principles of separation of powers when it is tabled on Monday.

"Whether they (BN) will voice out openly in the state assembly depends on how much pressure they are under," the source said.

Pakatan cautious as well
          
The opposition in Johor is also cautious about the issue, for it fears being on a collision cause with the state monarchy.

When contacted, Johor opposition leader Dr Boo Cheng Hau (right) was tight-lipped, merely stating that Pakatan Rakyat would decide on how to approach the Bill at a meeting on Sunday.

"Any decision we take will be done collectively," Boo said.

Pakatan has 18 state assemblypersons in the house to BN's 38 representatives.

The Bill, if passed, will see the creation of the Johor Housing and Real Property Board and grant the sultan executive power over it, including appointing board members, determining their allowances, scrutinising the board's accounts as well as being empowered to dissolve the board.

Utusan, in its report today, quoted social activists and a constitutional expert whose views it said "should be a guide for the Johor government".

It said there were concerns the Bill would expose the sultan to disrespect and could potentially allow certain parties to exploit the royal institution.

The newspaper quoted social activist Annuar Shaari calling for the Bill to be postponed as it had never happened in a democracy before and the rakyat needed more explanation first.

"We the people respect the sultan and pray that he will maintain progress of the state but request that Sultan Ibrahim (Ismail) give a chance to the state government to manage the state affairs for the sake of the rakyat's welfare," another social activist Khairul Anuar Ramli is quoted as saying.

Law expert Abdul Aziz Bari was also quoted as saying that governance was not the sultan's duty.

However, Utusan also quoted the Johor executive councillor in charge of housing and local government, Abd Latiff Bandi, hitting out at Malaysiakini for first reporting on the Bill.

Abd Latiff said the mooted housing board's structure was no different than the Johor State Economic Development Corporation, which is today known as the Johor Corporation.