Tee, who is Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman, officiating at a function in this file pix
JOHOR BARU: The Johor Royal Council has advised all quarters not to question the power of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in the appointment of Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong as the state executive council (exco) member.
Its president, Tunku Osman Tunku Temenggong Ahmad, said media statements concerning the issue could not only confuse the people, but had clearly been sensationalised to fulfill some hidden agendas.
"Under Clause 4, Division 2 of the Johor Constitution 1895, the Sultan of Johor has the power to set up a state executive council and appoint not more than 10 state assemblymen as the exco members.
"The Sultan has appointed a Chinese assemblyman to be an exco member in a bid to ensure justice and balance.
"In fact, history showed that a Chinese community representative in the government was appointed for the same purpose during the rule of Maharaja Abu Bakar in 1873," he said in a statement here.
Tee's MCA membership was frozen for three years for violating the party’s resolution in taking up the government post.
Tee had said he accepted the Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism portfolio in accordance with a special request by the Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Iskandar who wanted a Chinese representative.
The appointment ignited a storm within MCA as it went against the party’s decision not to accept any government posts as the results of the general election were worse than in 2008.
The decision was made following a resolution endorsed by the MCA general assembly in 2011 and 2012.
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