KUALA LUMPUR – The views expressed by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar regarding placing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Petronas under the purview of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are not a threat to the federal constitution, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Noting that the matter can be discussed or negotiated in a proper manner, Anwar said that there is no issue with the incoming Agong voicing his thoughts on the topic.
“(The ruler) was merely expressing his views. To me, there’s no problem with discussing the matter. It will not threaten either the power or provisions under the federal constitution,” Anwar told reporters today.
“We can negotiate, but the principles of the constitution (on) parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy will be defended (as) we uphold the same principles.
“There should be no concerns if there are statements, including views from the Johor sultan, as we can discuss his point of view without it affecting our national policies and our constitutional monarchy system,” the prime minister added.
He said this after officiating the grand launch of two exhibitions at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the museum establishing a new cultural direction for the nation.
Also present at the event were Bandar Tun Razak MP and Anwar’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, and Yayasan Albukhary founder Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, who is also the museum’s director.
In a recent interview with Singapore’s Straits Times, the Johor ruler said that the anti-graft agency and Petronas should report to the throne instead of Parliament to ensure independence.
Expressing how he wants to crack down on graft, the sultan was quoted as saying: “If it comes to the Agong, it means you are not under the influence of anybody from the executive.”
MACC and the state oil and gas company currently report to the government of the day. Reformist quarters have repeatedly called for the commission to report to Parliament and for the legislature to oversee appointments to key posts within the agency. – December 12, 2023