MCA yet to study if Johor Bill unconstitutional
Kow Kwan YeePublished: Jun 6, 2014 6:00 AM | Updated: Jun 6, 2014 9:55 AM
MCA has yet to study the proposed Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014 that provides significant powers to the sultan over a state housing board, and to find out if the bill is unconstitutional, says its vice-president Chew Mei Fun.
MCA has yet to study the proposed Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014 that provides significant powers to the sultan over a state housing board, and to find out if the bill is unconstitutional, says its vice-president Chew Mei Fun.
However, Chew said the Chinese-based party would defend the constitution should the Bill be found to be against the supreme law of the land.
“Whatever we do, we must first respect the powers and terms given by the constitution,” she said when asked whether MCA supported the proposed Bill in a press conference today.
Stressing MCA’s consistency in defending the constitution, Chew added that the party would hold a meeting for in-depth study on the Bill, and she refused to express her stand for now.
“We must discuss whether this Act (Johor Housing Bill) has violated the constitution. This is a very academic question and we must study the matter,” she said.
In an exclusive report by Malaysiakini, the Johor government will table the Housing Bill that will empower the Johor sultan to appoint the board members, oversee its accounts and even dissolve the board.
The sultan is also empowered to appoint four members to the board, determine the remuneration or allowances of the board members and approve the appointment of a director, who can be made chief executive of the board.
Constitutional experts argued that such a Bill would go against the principle of responsibility, where the state government is held accountable for all policies of the administration, except on matters concerning religion.
Meanwhile, Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong said that the state party leaders would follow this matter closely and would be participating in the debate session scheduled for Monday.
“The Johor state government should suspend passing of the Bill until a consensus is reached by a special committee formed by both the government and the opposition,”said Liew in his Facebook posting today.
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However, Chew said the Chinese-based party would defend the constitution should the Bill be found to be against the supreme law of the land.
“Whatever we do, we must first respect the powers and terms given by the constitution,” she said when asked whether MCA supported the proposed Bill in a press conference today.
Stressing MCA’s consistency in defending the constitution, Chew added that the party would hold a meeting for in-depth study on the Bill, and she refused to express her stand for now.
“We must discuss whether this Act (Johor Housing Bill) has violated the constitution. This is a very academic question and we must study the matter,” she said.
In an exclusive report by Malaysiakini, the Johor government will table the Housing Bill that will empower the Johor sultan to appoint the board members, oversee its accounts and even dissolve the board.The sultan is also empowered to appoint four members to the board, determine the remuneration or allowances of the board members and approve the appointment of a director, who can be made chief executive of the board.
Constitutional experts argued that such a Bill would go against the principle of responsibility, where the state government is held accountable for all policies of the administration, except on matters concerning religion.
Meanwhile, Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong said that the state party leaders would follow this matter closely and would be participating in the debate session scheduled for Monday.
“The Johor state government should suspend passing of the Bill until a consensus is reached by a special committee formed by both the government and the opposition,”said Liew in his Facebook posting today.
BN upset with 'royal' housing bill too?
DAP: Johor heading for absolute monarchy?
Johor housing board Bill nets Pakatan in dilemma
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