JOHOR BARU: Police have received over 150 reports from various groups, including politicians and associations, against Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi over his remarks alleging the Johor palace had directed the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad, who confirmed this, urged the public to refrain from making comments that may cause public alarm.
“Firm action will be taken against any individual found to have misused any network facility, network service or application service for purposes that contravene the law,” he said.
Some of the police reports came from Johor caretaker state executive councillors, including health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, who said the dissolution of the state assembly was carried out in accordance with Article 23, Part Two of the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Johor 1895.
“The state assembly was dissolved after Mentri Besar had an audience and presented the matter to Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to obtain royal consent.
“Such royal consent is a process prescribed under the Johor Constitution and should not be construed as an instruction or political interference,” Ling said after filing his report at the Yong Peng police station.
He added that Mohd Puad’s statement was a misleading allegation that could create a negative perception of the constitutional monarchy institution in Johor.
Other caretaker state executive councillors who have also filed police reports include Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor and Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.
Earlier, Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz denied Mohd Puad’s allegations, describing them as a distortion of the constitutional process.
“I categorically deny Puad’s claim that I informed him that the palace had directed the dissolution of the state assembly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Johor Retired Senior Police Officers Association (Respa) chairman SAC (R) Datuk Sugumaran Raman urged all parties not to drag the Johor royal institution into politics.
“The Johor royal institution has always played an important role in ensuring harmony, peace and the well-being of the people.
“Whatever differences there may be in politics, nobody should touch on or undermine the Johor royal institution,” he said.
