JOHOR BARU: Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi strongly denies allegations by Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi that the Johor Palace had directed the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.
The caretaker Johor mentri besar described the claim by Puad, who was the state speaker, as a distortion of the constitutional process.
Onn Hafiz said he had never informed Puad that the Palace had “ordered” the dissolution of the Johor state legislative assembly as alleged.
“I categorically deny Puad’s claim that I informed him that the Palace had directed the dissolution of the Johor state legislative assembly,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page here on Wednesday (June 25).
Onn Hafiz added that the assembly was dissolved only after obtaining the consent of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, in accordance with Article 23 of Part Two of the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Johor 1895.
He said the Mentri Besar could not dissolve the assembly at will, as the process must comply with constitutional provisions and only takes effect after Royal consent is granted.
“I had an audience and presented the matter. After obtaining consent, I openly announced the dissolution of the Johor state legislative assembly to the people,” he said.
Onn Hafiz added that obtaining Royal consent was a constitutional requirement and should not be interpreted as receiving instructions or political interference from the Palace.
“Receiving Royal consent is a constitutional process and does not in any way mean receiving instructions or political interference,” he said.
He also said it was irresponsible to misrepresent a legitimate constitutional process in a manner that could create the perception that the Royal Institution was interfering in Johor Umno’s political affairs and decision-making.
While acknowledging Puad’s right to leave Umno and hold differing views from the party leadership, Onn Hafiz said the allegations were serious and could touch on sensitive issues involving race, religion and royalty (3R), potentially affecting public harmony and order.
He added that Johor Umno would lodge a police report to enable the authorities to investigate the matter and urged all parties to respect the Royal Institution, uphold the Constitution and refrain from using the institution in political disputes.
