It’s royal assent, not political interference, says Onn Hafiz

PETALING JAYA: Johor Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi has clarified that the dissolution of the state legislative assembly was carried out in line with constitutional procedures, denying claims it was done upon instructions from the palace.

Onn Hafiz, the caretaker Johor menteri besar, explained that the dissolution was carried out after obtaining the assent of Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

“I categorically deny Puad (Zarkashi)’s claim that I had told him the palace had ‘directed’ that the Johor state assembly be dissolved.

“What I explained was that the dissolution was carried out after obtaining Tunku Ismail’s assent, in accordance with Article 23, Part II of the Johor state constitution,” he said in a Facebook post.

He also stressed that the menteri besar does not have the power to dissolve the Johor state assembly at will.

“Receiving royal assent is a constitutional process and in no way implies that the decision was made under instructions from, or through political interference by the palace.

“It is therefore highly irresponsible of Puad to now distort this legitimate constitutional process in a way that creates the perception that the royal institution interfered in Johor Umno’s affairs or political decisions,” Onn Hafiz said.

Earlier today, Puad announced his immediate resignation from Umno, saying he could no longer remain silent over what he described as the state chapter’s lack of autonomy in decision-making.

The former Batu Pahat MP alleged that Johor Umno was not free to make its own decisions and claimed that it was admitted to him by Onn Hafiz himself.

He said there were many examples showing that Onn Hafiz is merely a “yes man”, adding that this made Johor Umno “a puppet bound by external control”.

Onn Hafiz, in response, said that Puad is entitled to leave Umno and to disagree with the party leadership.

“However, his statements are extremely serious and have the potential to touch on sensitive 3R (race, royalty, religion) issues, besides undermining public harmony and order,” he said, adding that Johor Umno will file a police report over the matter.