MB powerless to advise Sultan, says Zuraida

PETALING JAYA: Criticism over Johor’s Real Property and Housing Board Bill continued yesterday with PKR’s Wanita chief Zuraida Kama­ruddin questioning the Mentri Be­­sar’s ability to “advise” the Sultan under some of its provisions.

Under the Bill passed on Monday, the Sultan would upon the advice of the Mentri Besar appoint board mem­bers, director, officers and staff.

“Johor Mentri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin would be powerless to ‘advise’ the Sultan as it is custo­mary for Malays to pledge full allegiance to the Ruler without question.

“The term derhaka has been in­­grained into the psyche of all Malays and Malaysians alike and it is un­­thinkable that the Sultan may be challenged at all,” Zuraida said in a statement yesterday.

She said the Bill contradicted the Federal Constitution.

Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP, said granting executive powers to the head of religion was also “pointless” as it was the Johor state government which was directly responsible for the welfare and housing of its people and not the Sultan.