Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has rejected allegations that the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) was ordered by Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail, stressing that the move followed the constitutional process.
Onn Hafiz said the assembly was dissolved on June 1 only after obtaining the Regent’s royal assent, as required under Article 23 of Part Two of the Johor State Constitution 1895.
He was responding to claims by former Johor Speaker Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who alleged that Onn Hafiz had told him the dissolution was carried out on the Regent’s instructions.
“What I explained was that the dissolution was made after obtaining Tunku Mahkota Ismail’s royal assent, in accordance with the Johor State Constitution.
“The Menteri Besar cannot dissolve the state assembly at will. The dissolution must follow the constitutional process and only takes effect after receiving royal assent,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said he had formally sought an audience to present the matter before publicly announcing the dissolution, adding that obtaining royal assent was a constitutional requirement and should not be interpreted as political instruction or interference.
The Machap assemblyman described Mohd Puad’s claims as irresponsible and a distortion of the constitutional process, saying they created the false perception that the Johor Royal Institution had interfered in UMNO Johor’s political decisions.
He warned that such remarks could touch on sensitive 3R issues involving the monarchy and undermine public harmony.
Following the allegations, Onn Hafiz said UMNO Johor would lodge a police report to allow the authorities to investigate the matter.
He also urged all parties to respect the Johor Royal Institution, uphold the Federal Constitution and the Johor State Constitution, and refrain from dragging the monarchy into political disputes.
Earlier, Mohd Puad announced his immediate resignation from UMNO, claiming the party was no longer independent in making decisions and alleging that Johor UMNO was being influenced by the palace. He also claimed that Onn Hafiz had admitted during a meeting on June 21 that the dissolution of the state assembly was carried out following a royal directive.
