TMJ posts excerpts of constitutional rights of state Rulers in response to Dr M's blogpost

PETALING JAYA: In an apparent response to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's blogpost, Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim posted excerpts of the Federal Constitution on the rights and powers of state Rulers on his Facebook page.

He posted Article 71.(1) which states that the Federation shall guarantee the right of a Ruler of a state to succeed and to hold, enjoy and exercise the constitutional rights and privileges of the Ruler of that state.

The Article also states that any dispute as to the title to the succession as Ruler of any State shall be determined solely by such authorities and in such manner as may be provided by the Constitution of that state.

Tunku Ismail also posted Article 181.(1) which states that subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the sovereignty, prerogatives, powers and jurisdiction of the Rulers and the prerogatives, powers and jurisdiction of the ruling chiefs of Negri Sembilan within their respective territories as hitherto had and enjoyed shall remain unaffected.

His posting comes soon after Dr Mahathir's post on his blog chedet.cc on Wednesday (April 24) stating that the ruling party of a state can reject a mentri besar candidate endorsed by the constitutional monarch through a vote of no-confidence.

The Prime Minister listed the events that led to the adoption of the country's Federal Constitution, where it was agreed that Malaya (and later Malaysia) would be a democracy where the people would choose its government.

"The rulers would be constitutional heads without executive power. Their position would be guaranteed by the Constitution which would be the supreme law of the country.

Dr Mahathir said that the party winning the election would name the prime minister, chief minister or mentri besar, which the constitutional head would endorse.

He also said that the constitutions of Johor and Terengganu – which were promulgated earlier – were nullified by the new constitution and accepted by all Malaysian states.

"It is important that everyone concerned respects the Constitution and abide by it. Failure to do so would negate the rule of law," he wrote.