KOTA ISKANDAR: Johor state speaker Suhaizan Kaiat has rejected an emergency motion filed by the Opposition to debate the legality of vehicle number plates with the prefix “TMJ” and “RZ”.

Suhaizan rejected the motion filed by Datuk Hasni Mohammad (BN-Benut) at the state assembly sitting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail here Monday (July 1) to debate a question earlier posed by Labis MP Pang Hok Liong in the Dewan Rakyat.

Hasni said Pang's question had insulted the Johor royal institution.

Suhaizan said that though the matter was important, it was not deemed urgent.

“The matter will be addressed by either the Johor Mentri Besar or the relevant state executive councillors during their winding-up speech,” he added.

State Barisan assemblymen were left disappointed following Suhaizan’s action as they believed the question should not be raised by an MP who comes from Johor.

They felt his action was considered as treason towards the Johor royal institution.

Hasni said the motion was made to demand Parliament and state governments their stand towards the MP's question about registering vehicle numbers with the prefix “TMJ” and “RZ”.

“This question (by Pang at the Dewan Rakyat) can be seen as insulting to the royal institution as vehicles number plates bearing the prefix 'TMJ' and 'RZ' are used for programmes and ceremonies organised by the state government,” he added.

Earlier, Pang had posed a question at the Dewan Rakyat to the Transport Minister about whether the "TMJ" and "RZ" vehicle number plates were registered with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) as legal.

He said if it was not registered, would such vehicles be allowed on the road.

Pang's question at the Dewan Rakyat has since gone viral on social media.

The "RZ" plate numbers are official vehicles belonging to Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah while the "TMJ" plate numbers belong to Tunku Mahkota Johor.