Johor leader supports TMJ’s call for state to be treated as equal partner

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JOHOR BARU: A local leader here has expressed his support for Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim’s call for the state to be treated as an equal partner in the federal government.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said Tunku Ismail’s view for the state to be treated as an equal partner like Sabah and Sarawak has a constitutional, political and historical basis.

“Johor is not like Melaka, Penang and Singapore, which were directly under the British and were called Straits Settlements.

“Johor is also not part of the Federated Malay state, such as Pahang, Selangor, Perak and Negri Sembilan, which had to accept British residents as advisors,” he said in a statement here.

He said that Johor voluntarily became part of the Unfederated Malay states with Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah but maintained its sovereignty, which the British recognised.

“Johor had essentially accepted the British as a patron, but it remains an independent state with its Rulers having sovereignty over the region, which the British recognised.

He also said that Johor had come out with its own Constitution over a century ago, which is still being used today.

“Before the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1957, before the existence of the Malayan Union in 1946, Johor had already had its own state Constitution.

“The state Constitution known as Undang-Undang Tubuh Negeri Johor 1895 have been around for 129 years ago and is still being enforced today,” he said.

He said those who think Tunku Ismail’s view is not in line with the Constitution should look at it more holistically.

“His opinion should be viewed through a broader lens and not based on an interpretation of the Constitution, which was drawn up by the Reid Commission on behalf of the British before the formation of Tanah Melayu,” he said.

On June 9, Tunku Ismail said that the federal government should be revamped with Johor treated as a partner instead.

"The system within the Federal Government needs to be changed. Johor does not belong to Malaysia.

"We are partners, so you must start treating us like partners," said the Johor Regent during a podcast at the Johor youth meet-up programme at EduCity Indoor Arena on June 9.