©The New Straits Times (Used by permission)
by JASSMINE SHADIQE
JOHOR BARU: Breaking his silence since controversy erupted over proposed provisions in the Johor Housing and Property Board 2014 Enactment that would have given him executive powers on housing and property decisions and policies, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar told the New Straits Times yesterday that his priority was solely the interest of his subjects.
He said state government representatives would "go around Johor to explain" the provisions of the enactment, which was passed on Monday, with the sultan only given the power to appoint four board members upon the advice of the menteri besar.
"There is no interference. I want my subjects to understand the enactment and be happy about it.
"I even sought the menteri besar's advice on the roadshow. He said it was a good move."
To a question on when he would consent to the enactment, he said: "There is no hurry to sign the enactment. My priority is my subjects. They have always been and will always be (my priority).
"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."
Sultan Ibrahim said it was pertinent for Johor folk to have a thorough understanding of the provisions in the enactment.
"The state government must explain the provisions of the enactment to the people first.
"I have suggested to the menteri besar to go on a roadshow and explain the enactment to my subjects. I want them to understand the provisions.
"Once they are happy, the menteri besar will present the enactment to me," he said, adding he could even sign the enactment "tomorrow if my subjects are not confused and are happy".
Sultan Ibrahim quashed talks 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."
The controversial enactment had, prior to amendments, created an uproar when it was reported that the ruler would be given executive power beyond that stated in the Federal Constitution.
The original proposal would have allowed Sultan Ibrahim to, among others, scrutinise the board's accounts, dissolve it and appoint board members.
A slew of criticism ensued, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak cautioning that the enactment must not run afoul of the Federal Constitution or the constitutional monarchy system. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was reported as saying it showed a lack of respect for the Federal Constitution.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin on Sunday said amendments were made to the proposed bill to provide for the sultan to only appoint four board members with his advice.
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. Four people will be appointed.
Khaled had said the state government had acted in good faith and there was no intention to provide executive powers to the state ruler, adding that the amendments would make it clear that the sultan would act on the advice of the menteri besar, especially on matters related to the appointment of board members.
On Monday, the enactment was approved with 38 Barisan Nasional assemblymen voting in its favour, while 18 from the opposition bloc abstained, citing a need to delay the enactment for further studies.
Royal Court Council president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said yesterday Sultan Ibrahim had consented to the amendments made to the original bill before it was tabled on Monday.
"The ruler was approached with the amendments and he had consented to them. There is a procedure to it. Once the amendments are done, the whole enactment needs to be reprinted before it is presented to the sultan for his royal consent.
"This will take time. Upon his consent, the enactment will take order. There is no such thing as the sultan declining to sign it."