Chronology of events:
June 4, 2014
Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Abd Latif Bandi announces a new enactment - the Johor Housing and Property Board Enactment, to be tabled at the state legislative assembly. The enactment will lead to the setting up of a board, to be chaired by Johor Menteri Besar. The board will streamline laws, coordinate and conduct planning for the state's housing and property sector.
June 5, 2014
- Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin scoffs at critics who say that the enactment would include provisions providing sweeping powers to the sultan, such as the power to appoint board members, dissolve the board and oversee its accounts.
Khaled said allegation that the enactment was against the concept of constitutional monarchy did not arise as the bill would be read together with the State Constitution or "Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Johor".
Khaled says that any decision made by the board was approved by the Menteri Besar, who is the board's chairman. He said clauses in the proposed bill which mentioned the word "sultan" only referred to the ruler's role to provide a check and balance to the provisions enforcement.
- Several quarters want the proposed enactment to be postponed pending unresolved issues and little information given to the people of Johor.
Umno supreme council member Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi says the state government should consider postponing the tabling of the bill, adding that a better understanding of the law will prevent it from being manipulated and exploited by any irresponsible parties.
- Members of the legal fraternity said many issues in the proposed enactment needed to be ironed as the original enactment made it seem that the sultan would interfere in the state's executive powers.
June 6, 2014
- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the proposed Johor Housing and Property Board Enactment must bring advantages, benefits and protect the interests of the people, especially Johoreans.
- Najib said the enactment must be in line with the principles of the Federal Constitution and upholds constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. He said Khaled was to ensure that the enactment fulfilled its objectives of building more affordable housing for the people in Johor.
June 7, 2014
The Bar Council said the proposed enactment will unnecessarily and improperly seek to involve the Sultan of Johor in matters of executive government and administration.
June 8, 2014
- The Johor government decides to water down the controversial enactment less than 24 hours before it was due for tabling.
Khaled said the bill will retain the clause giving the sultan the power to appoint the board's directors but only upon the advice of the Menteri Besar. Other clauses containing references to "ruler" will be replaced with the term "state authority"
June 9, 2014
The Johor legislative assembly approves the Housing and Property Board 2014 Enactment, with 10 amendments made to the original provisions. All 38 Barisan Nasional assemblymen vote in favour of it, while 18 assemblymen from opposition abstain from voting. The enactment was passed as it received the required the two-third majority vote from 56-member legislature.
June 10, 2014
- Iskandar Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mohd Salikon Sarpin said the board would address the need for affordable and low-cost housing units, especially in Iskandar Malaysia, but other groups such as Johor Indian Business Association were still sceptical whether the enactment would benefit the people.
June 11, 2014
The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar gives his assurance that he will not interfere in state executive matters, including issues related to housing and land.
June 13, 2014
The Johor government initiates a state-wide road show to explain the Johor Housing and Property Board 2014 Enactment to the public. State assemblymen are also asked to provide information about the enactment to the people.
June 21, 2014
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin addresses criticism levelled against him that he was not capable of advising the Sultan of Johor when it came to state administrative matters. He said he had always carried out his duties as head of the state government and a wakil rakyat' while always advising the ruler on state matters.
March 22, 2015
In a News Straits Times interview, Sultan Ibrahim said he had not signed the approval for the enactment, and said he would not bow down to pressure from those outside Johor who criticised the matter. He said his decision not to sign it was supported by NGOs.
May 7, 2015
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar objects to the amendment involving the provisions of the enactment and urged the state government to review the enactment as it contravened several other enactments that were already in place under the State Constitution.