I want my people to be happy about new bill, says Johor sultan

Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar says he wants the people to understand the new property enactment, and has no intention to interfere in state administration. – Pic taken from DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Facebook, June 12, 2014.The Sultan of Johor has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding the proposed housing and property bill, and said that he had no intention of interfering in state matters.

In an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times published today, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said the happiness of his subjects was his priority and he had wanted to make sure that they understood the provisions of the proposed Johor Housing and Property Board 2014 Enactment.

"There is no interference. I want my subjects to understand the enactment and be happy about it," he said.

The Sultan said state government representatives would go around the southern state to explain the provisions of the enactment.

He said it was pertinent for the people to have a clear understanding of the provisions contained in the enactment.

"Once they are happy, the menteri besar (Tan Sri Mohamed Khaled Nordin) will present the enactment to me," Sultan Ibrahim said.

In the interview with the NST, Sultan Ibrahim also denied rumours that he was reluctant to sign the enactment, adding that people should not listen to rumours.

"Stop circulating rumours that the Sultan does not want to sign the enactment. The Sultan wants his subjects to be happy. The enactment is for them, it is for their benefit, so it matters that they understand and are happy," he said.

Asked when he would consent to the enactment which was passed by the state assembly on Monday, Sultan Ibrahim said there was no hurry as his priority was his subjects.

"I want state government representatives to go around Johor and explain the enactment to my subjects. It is not that I do not want to sign it. Please do not misunderstand... the enactment is for the people, so they need to understand it, and be happy with it."

The enactment was passed by the state assembly with some amendments after the initial proposal was heavily criticised by various quarters for allowing the palace to have a say in state administration.

Former Johor Corporation (JCorp) chief executive officer Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim had said Sultan Ibrahim's direct involvement in Johor's administration will only worsen the current situation.

"This will also tarnish and damage the reputation of the Sultan and the royalty in the state," Muhammad Ali had said.

"As it is, Johoreans are already concerned at the manner in which land and wealth in the state are passing into foreign hands.

"Strategic companies which belong to the state are being held by selected individuals, without any thought for the long-term future of the public and the country.

Constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari had also expressed his concern, saying Sultan Ibrahim's involvement in the administration went against the Federal Constitution.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the controversial enactment showed a lack of respect for the Federal Constitution.

Following the amendments made to the bill, the sultan no longer have the power to determine the remuneration or allowances of board members.

The sultan’s power to direct any person to investigate the books, accounts and transactions of the board has been removed, and he no longer can direct the board to be wound up and dissolved.

The board also no longer has to submit to the ruler its accounts, an estimate of the expenses for the following year and a report of its activities in the preceding year. Nor does it require the sultan’s approval to establish a corporation.

Instead, all those powers are vested solely in the state authority.

Similarly, the sultan can only appoint members of the board, including its director, on the advice of the menteri besar.

Either the sultan or the menteri besar can decide to revoke a member’s appointment, as opposed to the sultan having the sole authority to do so.

The board will have 11 members with seven permanent posts, occupied by the menteri besar, state housing and local government exco, state secretary, legal adviser, economic planning unit head, state rural and urban planning department director and state financial officer, and four other appointees.

The Johor Royal Council had denied that Sultan Ibrahim was behind the bill.

"It was not the sultan (who created the bill). The sultan does not interfere in state administration. It is the state government's right to propose any laws that could benefit the rakyat," council president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli had told a press conference.

- TMI