JOHOR BARU: Several Johor caretaker executive councillors have filed police reports against Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi over his remarks alleging that the Johor palace had directed the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.
They stressed that the dissolution of the Johor state assembly was carried out in accordance with Article 23, Part Two of the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Johor 1895.
Johor caretaker health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said obtaining the consent of the Johor palace was part of the state's constitution.
“The state assembly was dissolved after the Johor Mentri Besar had an audience and presented the matter to Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail to obtain Royal consent.
“Such Royal consent is a process prescribed under the Johor state constitution and should not be construed as an instruction or political interference,” Ling said on Facebook after filing his report at the Yong Peng police station on Thursday (June 25).
He added that Mohd Puad’s statement was a misleading allegation that could create a negative perception of the constitutional monarchy institution in Johor.
Meanwhile, caretaker Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, who filed his report at the Kulai police station on the same day, said Mohd Puad’s statement was a serious allegation.
“This report is not intended to restrict freedom of speech, but rather to ensure that any allegations made are investigated fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.
“Allegations involving the state leadership and important institutions should not be allowed to become subjects of speculation without a legitimate basis.
“The police should now be allowed to conduct a professional investigation based on the facts and the relevant legal provisions in force,” he said, adding that all parties should be more responsible when issuing public statements.
Johor caretaker youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, who filed a report at the Larkin police station, said the statement touched on the Royal Institution, which is one of the sensitive 3R elements (Religion, Race and Royalty) protected under the law.
“Allegations that the Royal Institution interfered in and directed political decisions have the potential to incite public sentiment, as well as create doubt and hostility towards the Royal Institution and the state government.
“I am concerned that the dissemination of this statement, especially during the campaign period for the 16th Johor state election, could undermine social harmony, erode public confidence in the Royal Institution and disrupt public order,” he said.
Earlier, Onn Hafiz had also denied Mohd Puad's statement, describing the claim as a distortion of the constitutional process.
This comes after Mohd Puad, who was the Johor state assembly speaker, announced his resignation from Umno, saying that he was leaving the party voluntarily.
In the statement, Mohd Puad claimed that Johor Umno no longer had the freedom to make its own decisions.
He also alleged that Onn Hafiz had told him that the palace had directed him to dissolve the assembly.
