YOURSAY ‘He’s the only person who could say what he said and get away with it. ’
 
Dr M worried Johor MB will do royal kowtow
 
Gerard Lourdesamy: Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad's comments are clearly seditious and utterly disrespectful to the ruler.
 
Firstly, the ruler is the head of state; secondly, Malay ‘adat’ (custom) requires all subjects to be loyal to the sultan; thirdly, Islam places the ruler at an exalted position since he is divinely ordained by Allah SWT.
 
Fourthly, the Johor Housing and Real Property Board Bill originated from the elected state government and not the sultan.
 
Fifthly, the sultan is bound to assent to the bill and can only advise and warn the menteri besar, but the menteri besar decides ultimately on matters of policy within his jurisdiction, since the menteri besar alone answers to the legislative assembly.
 
Sixthly, the constitutional restrictions were forced upon the sultan's ancestors by the British, and the sultan historically has always been an absolute ruler; and lastly, the sultan has a higher responsibility to his subjects than elected leaders.
 
He is not an ornament but the final bastion of the people against elected dictatorship, especially when corruption and abuses are endemic in the state.
 
Abasir: "I am worried that it would not be the menteri besar advising the sultan, but the sultan advising him," said Mahathr. True.
 
The days of the sultan obediently receiving 'advice' from the ‘invited’ British are long over. ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ means the sultan will do the advising which gofers like Johor MB Khaled Nordin will bend over backwards to execute.
 
Fair Play: Well, the only comment I have to add is this - perhaps Mahathir is the only person today who could say what he said and get away with it. The signs of a strong leader - feared or respected?
 
Malaysia Truly Asia:  What has Mahathir said that is seditious? He just talked about the menteri besar kowtowing, he did not insult the sultan. Get your facts straight. On passing this government to Pakatan Rakyat? They cannot even agree to disagree.
 
Lim Chong Leong: When the late DAP stalwart Karpal Singh questioned the powers of the sultan, Umno came down upon him with the wrath of an angered tyrant and he had to bear that burden to his grave.
 
But when Umno does it, it is okay, nothing happens, there is no Perkasa, no Isma, no protesting outside offices and houses, no butt dancers - absolutely nothing, like these guys are suddenly not interested in their "protecting Islam, Melayu dan raja-raja".
 
Hope: Let’s face it, only Mahathir dares to tell the sultan that a spade is a spade. Under Mahathir, this would never have happened.
 
But with the present premier, it is almost hopeless - almost hopeless not totally hopeless. Let’s pray that the little hope that is still left will produce something positive.
 
Sirach: What Mahathir says makes perfect sense. It’s a pity that the sitting premier, save for some platitudes, dares not speak up as boldly on an issue as important as this. Is it surprising? Nah, not really.
 
CQ Muar: Najib, your knowledge and courage to lead the nation are found wanting (short of the "brave" move hauling Malaysiakini to court).
 
Among other things, you don't even know those basic laws, until Mahathir pointed out with regard to the role of a sultan as laid down in the provisions of the Federal Constitution. Either you lack knowledge or courage to take up the gauntlet in advising the sultan pertaining to the controversial bill fiasco.
 
Mahathir should be applauded for not mincing his words and exuding his wisdom compared to Najib, who has virtually nothing to show except his "suave" appearance and lies before world top leaders.
 
Retnam: Dear Mahathir, you are absolutely right. But what can you do to stop it? Absolutely nothing.
 
This is the beginning of the country being taken over by the royalty. The Umno cronies will get zilch. The biggest winners will be the Chinese from Singapore and China. How about that?
 
Then the Chinese in Malaysia will be first-class citizens. Malays will still be the bumiputera but will be second-class citizens. Indians will forever be the last class. How do you like that?
 
Anonymous_3faa: Let us see how this Umno-inspired game plays out. Premier Najib Abdul Razak is inconsequential here as even the Johor menteri besar defies him. Singapore is smiling, whatever the outcome.        
 
Adam Ningau: This sounds familiar. Will it end up like the logging concessions in other states? If that is the case, the ultimate losers will be the state and its people.
 
Headhunter: We don't think anyone would disagree with Mahathir’s statement this time. Not only a menteri besar but even the PM would not likely dare go against the sultan, unless the PM is Mahathir himself.
 
But having said that, what is stopping the Umnoputera from plundering the state? This is precisely why Umno is running scared, that the sultan would be able to prevent them from doing so.
 
If the sultan is doing it for his subjects, I say let him do it. I'm not saying that the present sultan would do it but the implications are wide ranging because with such power, there is no stopping any sultan for doing the same.
 
Tell The Truth: Khaled Nordin is caught between a hard place and a rock. Both ways, he is dead. You surely deserve it. As to the kowtow, it’s a foregone conclusion.
 
KDP: A man of no principle may not impose his rhetoric on the crowd. Frankly the mess we are in today is not due to the monarchy but due to politicians since independence.
 
The rulers should have had firm control from day one and not let one political party dictate the fate of this nation.


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