Why the rush?

Sultan Johor, Tunku Mahkota Johor, MB Johor, DUN Johor Speaker and the ADUNs

On Monday, MB Johor Dato’ Seri Mohamad Khaled Nordin pushed through in Dewan Undangan Negeri Johor for an amended Johor Housing and Real Property (JHPA) Enactment 2014 to be passed, amidst controversy drawn for a law which so many opined contradicted the principles of power of separation between Ruler and Executive.

Today, it has been reported that Sultan Johor felt that there was no need to rush for the enactment to be signed.

The Rakyat Post story:

Johor Sultan: ‘No hurry to sign enactment’

Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has assured he will not interfere in state matters and this include matters related to housing and land. — Bernama file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12:

Insisting that he only has the best interest of the people at heart, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar assured he will not interfere in state matters.

The Sultan said this would include matters related to housing and land.

While the ruler has maintained silence since controversy erupted over the Johor Housing and Property Board 2014 enactment, Sultan Ibrahim told a local English daily today that all he wants is for his subjects to understand the enactment and be happy about it.

In an interview with The New Straits Times, the Sultan said he had put forth the suggestion of having a roadshow where state government representatives would go around Johor to explain what was in the enactment.

Sultan Ibrahim said he had also suggested for Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin to go on the roadshow himself and explain the provisions.

While the state legislative assembly on Monday had passed the enactment with several amendments, the Sultan has yet to sign it.

When asked by the daily on when he would grant his consent, Sultan Ibrahim said, “There is no hurry to sign the enactment.”

This, he said, was because he wanted the people to understand the provisions within the enactment first before he signed it.

“My priority is my subjects. They have always been and will always be (my priority),” he was quoted as saying.

He added that he has no qualms in inking the enactment once his subjects are happy about it.

It was rumoured yesterday that Sultan Ibrahim would not put his signature on the enactment, however, the ruler dismissed it and asked people not to listen to rumours.

On Monday, after much criticism from various quarters, the Johor state legislative assembly passed the controversial housing enactment.

It was supported by 38 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen, while 18 Opposition representatives were against it.

The bill was passed after it was debated by 8 assemblymen — 5 from BN and 3 from the Opposition.

It also saw 8 clauses being amended, involving 10 subsections.

The amendments included the limitation or removal of the Sultan of Johor’s executive powers in the enactment.

Another amendment saw the Sultan no longer having the power to determine the allowances of board members.

The appointment of the board’s directors, which prior to this was subject to the approval of the Sultan, has been amended to the approval of the Sultan, on the advice of the Menteri Besar.

Also on Monday, Johor Council of Royal Court president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli pointed out that Sultan Ibrahim had never interfered in politics.

The council also assured there would be no abuse of power on his part, reported national news agency Bernama.

“Sultan Johor Sultan Ibrahim is a credible ruler who listens to advice in carrying out his duties. Tuanku is well-versed with the provisions of the Johor State Constitution 1895 and other laws and rulings, and the limits of his power and privileges,” Abdul Rahim was quoted as saying.

**********************

It is baffling why Johor State Government rushed to have the enactment passed. Speaking to media after the enactment was passed, MB Johor Khaled quipped that “People outside Johor do not understand”.

That is probably meant for many persons which include Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak, former Law Minister Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim PhD. and Deputy Agriculture Minister Dato’ Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

The opposition of the proposed JPHA is very strong

What is interesting, the opposition for the enactment which has been seen as contradicting the principle of separation of power in the Constitutional Monarchy democratic system this nation adopted came from former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam.

This is first time in almost 30 years both came together on the same page.

So now that Johoreans shoudl understand better than those who live in Johor, why is there a need for Sultan Johor to suggest that MB Johor Khaled, his Excos and senior Johor Civil Service officers go all over Johor and meet the rakyat to explain on an enactment which was passed in a rush?

Lido Boulevard beachfront project, by Tan Sri Vincent Tan

Shouldn’t the roadshow be done well before the enactment be put into the DUN Johor for tabling, debate and vote?

MB Khaled also said in the same media conference that the new Johor Housing and Property Board would be incorporated by next year and started operations.

What is interesting, the pro-Opposition online news portals are speculating that the JPHA has got something to do with Sultan Johor’s personal business interests.

Kinibiz graphics on series of events involving big land and corporate deals in Johor

Needless to say, this would be a story that would be gossiped in the grassroots from this point. Considering Ramadhan is around the neighbourhood and Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is less that seven weeks away, the season where the Malays converge and gossip even more intense, then the perspective would spiraled into something chronic.

Shareholders of SIPP Energy Sdn. Bhd.

Many people would seriously be baffled and eventually doubt MB Johor Khaled’s role to advise Sultan Johor and manage the State Government and administration or a spokesman on behalf for Sultan Johor on specific subliminal agenda.

A lot at stake here. Even though Johor is perceived to be BN’s fixed deposit in Semenanjung, the fact is that Johoreans translate their frustration through the ballot boxes. BN’s control in DUN Johor slide from 6 Opposition ADUNs in 12GE to 18 Opposition ADUNs in 13GE.

A lot at stake here.

-bigdogdotcom