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8 May 2016

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JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has said he hopes the Malaysian government will rectify the amendments to the Federal Constitution involving the powers of the monarchy.

Sultan Ibrahim said the amendments to remove their immunity had been made for political or individual interests.

“I hope that this could be rectified,” said Sultan Ibrahim in his royal address at the opening of the three-day 2016 Conference of Parliamentary and State Assembly Speakers of Malaysia at Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor on Saturday (May 7).

Sultan Ibrahim said that under the Federal Constitution and State constitutions, the legislature is made up of two components – the King and Parliament at the federal level and the Sultan and state legislative assemblies at the state level.

“It is not proper to limit or abolish the power of the King or the Sultan in examining and giving their Royal Assent for laws. This just reduces the role of the King and the Sultans to mere rubber stamps for laws passed by the Parliament or the state legislative assemblies.”
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But now a Malay political party has limited the power of the King to consider new laws, said Sultan Ibrahim. Worse was the amendment forcing the King to accept the advice of the Cabinet, he added.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/johor-sultan-calls-on-malaysias-government-to-restore-powers-of-rulers

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theSundaily

Johor Sultan seeks restoration of powers of king, rulers to examine, approve bills

The sultan made reference to Article 40 (1A) and Article 66 (4A) of the Federal Constitution.

Article 40 (1A) states: “In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to act in accordance with advice, on advice, or after considering advice, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall accept and act in accordance with such advice.”

Article 66 (4A) states: “If a Bill is not assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong within the time specified in Clause (4), it shall become law at the expiration of the time specified in that Clause in the like manner as if he had assented thereto.”

In May 1994, forty-four points, including three schedules, in the Federal Constitution were amended by way of a bill tabled in the Dewan Rakyat by then
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
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The Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, also attended the opening of today’s event.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Dewan Negara President Datuk S.A. Vigneswaran, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Johor State Secretary Datuk Ismail Karim.

Sultan Ibrahim said a bill passed by the state assembly can only take effect after it is approved by the Ruler and, as such, it is inevitable that the relationship among the Ruler, the Legislature and the Executive are complementary to one another in the formation of an efficient and effective state government administration.

He said the role of the Ruler in the affairs of the state is also important besides the roles of the Executive and the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The sultan also said the Speaker must also have in-depth knowledge of the Federal Constitution and the state constitutions and not just the standing orders.

Although the speakers have similar roles and responsibilities, they face varying environments and different elected representatives, he said.

The ruler said it was not an easy task for the speakers to manage parliament or state assembly proceedings because this is not specified in detail in the
Federal Constitution or state constitutions.

He expressed his appreciation to Parliament for having selected Johor to host the conference. — Bernama

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1793373?utm_content=buffer44bbb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

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Malaysia Gazette ‏@MalaysiaGazette 13h13 hours ago

Johor Sultan seeks restoration of powers of King, Rulers – http://tinyurl.com/zpdvtnz  via @Shareaholic

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