Johor tables amended property bill, sultan’s power limited or removed entirely

The Johor government today tabled the controversial Housing and Real Property Board Bill 2014 in the state assembly, with amendments that either limited or removed the Johor Sultan’s power in the proposed housing board.

The amendments no longer give the sultan the power to determine the remuneration or allowances of board members in the Johor Property and Housing Commission (JPHC).
The sultan’s power to direct any person to investigate the books, accounts and transactions of the board has been removed, and he no longer can direct the board to be wound up and dissolved.
The board no longer has to submit to the ruler the accounts, an estimate of the expenses the following year or a report of its activities in the preceding year. Nor does it require the sultan’s approval to establish a corporation.
Instead, all those powers are vested solely in the state authority.
Similarly, the sultan can only appoint members of the board on the advice of the menteri besar. The sultan’s approval for the appointment of the director is also on the advice of the menteri besar.
Meanwhile, either the sultan or the menteri besar can decide to revoke a member’s appointment, as opposed to the sultan having the sole authority to do so.
The bill was tabled today by executive councillor Abdul Latiff Bandi. – June 9, 2014.