Anwar Downplays Dr M Johor Palace Tiff

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PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed the ongoing squabble between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Johor palace
Quizzed on the matter in Parliament this afternoon, he replied: “No (quarrel)... we are just following the constitution.”Anwar also refused to be drawn into the exchange between Mahathir and crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, saying the focus now should be on economic problems
“I just came back from campaigning (in Rantau) yesterday, now I am focusing on reading the Felda report which is not easy,” he added
Mahathir and Tunku Ismail have been crossing swords over the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which Malaysia ratified a month ago but was forced to withdraw last week
The crown prince was a vocal opponent of the Rome Statute, claiming it would threaten the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malays and Islam
Yesterday, Mahathir said Tunku Ismail was free to criticise the government but action would be taken if he makes seditious remarks
This prompted the prince to tweet, “If I have to go down for upholding the constitution, the Malay Rulers, and Islam, by all means. You know where to find me.”Meanwhile, Anwar was also questioned on Mahathir's statement this morning that the party which won the election, and not the palace, would decide on who would be the next Johor menteri besar
The PKR president said the constitution is clear on this matter
“The PM was only referring to the constitution that (the party) which enjoys the majority... but of course, you need to get royal consent..
“I think PM is purely referring to the legal interpretation of the constitution,” he added
Yesterday, Tunku Ismail said it is the prerogative of the sultan to appoint the menteri besar. The post fell vacant following the resignation of Bersatu's Osman Sapian on Monday
"The decree to change the menteri besar was made long ago, but there are other people trying to claim credit and mileage, supposedly that it was they who instructed it
"His Majesty looked into changing the MB for many months. Don't forget that the power to choose the MB is the absolute right of the sultan. Enough of politicking," the prince added. - Mkini

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