Is Putrajaya usurping Johor’s land and water powers with the STS transfer hub?

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Putrajaya's Authority Over Johor's Maritime Affairs Questioned Amidst STS Hub Development

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has asserted that the federal government, or Putrajaya, may be attempting to usurp the state's powers regarding land and water matters through the proposed ship-to-ship (STS) transfer hub project. He stated that neither the Sultan, the Mentri Besar, nor the state government, including the Land and Mines office, were aware of the development, which is planned for the Johor Baharu Port waters and is projected to be the world's largest. This assertion directly challenges the federal government's actions, with Tunku Ismail emphasizing that any matters within three nautical miles of the state's shores fall under the sole prerogative of Johor.
State Government Claims Unawareness of STS Hub Project

The Johor Crown Prince has firmly stated that the state government, along with its Land and Mines office, had no prior knowledge of the large-scale STS transfer hub project south of the state. He went further to claim that anyone asserting Johor's awareness of the development was being untruthful. This statement was supported by a voice recording of Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, who had also informed reporters that he only learned of the project through social media, contradicting claims of state consultation.
Constitutional Prerogative of State Powers Invoked

Tunku Ismail invoked constitutional principles to question the federal government's authority over the STS hub project. He highlighted that matters concerning land and water within three nautical miles of Johor's coastline are exclusively within the state's purview. His remarks suggest a potential overreach by Putrajaya, prompting concerns about the division of powers between the federal and state governments, particularly in the management of maritime resources and development projects within state waters.
Federal Government Denies Lack of State Consultation

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed surprise at Tunku Ismail's reported unawareness of the STS transfer hub project. Dr Mahathir stated that the Mentri Besar of Johor was indeed aware of the project and had discussed it with him. He refuted the notion that his administration was proceeding with projects without state approval or keeping state officials uninformed, asserting that the Mentri Besar had been briefed on the matter.
Details of the Proposed STS Transfer Hub

The planned STS transfer hub is situated in the Johor Baharu Port waters and is designed to be a significant global facility, capable of accommodating up to 30 vessels simultaneously. The development is being undertaken by KA Petra Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd. The estimated investment for this project ranges between US$150 million (RM612 million) and US$180 million (RM735 million), as outlined in the heads of agreement signed between the involved parties.

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Is Putrajaya usurping Johor’s land and water powers with the STS transfer hub?

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