KUALA LUMPUR: Former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says that the separation of powers between executive and the monarch must be preserved for the betterment of the country.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Mahathir said the Sultan of Johor's recent suggestion that he wants the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to report directly to him when he becomes Yang di-Pertuan Agong, among others 'should not be taken lightly'.
"Although such powers are not specified in the Constitution, the aspirations conveyed by the Sultan of Johor, if realised, will raise several significant questions regarding the roles of the Malay Rulers as Constitutional Monarchs," he said.
Before the powers of the Malay Rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong were detailed in the Constitution for the independent Federation of Malaya, the Malay Rulers were easily compelled by the British to cede their states, rendering them rulers without territories, claimed Dr Mahathir.
To avoid such pressure, the concept of Constitutional Monarchy was proposed and accepted, he added.
"Today, pressure needs to be put on the Parliament as well. Only if the King and Parliament agree then a law or policy or decision can be made. Distribution of power between two parties is safer than absolute power," he added.
The statement came after the Sultan of Johor had an interview with Singaporean news organisation Straits Times and said that MACC and Petronas should be answerable to the Royals.
He also pledged to be stern on cracking down graft issues and said that he has an answer to the problem.