Johor to get new state govt
JOHOR BARU: Johor, the first state to fall within days of the convoluted political upheaval in Putrajaya, expects to form a new coalition state government within the next few days.
A new mentri besar will be sworn in, followed by the selection of state executive councillors.
State Umno chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad said they were in the process of submitting the list of names for the mentri besar to the Johor Ruler for his consent.
Asked how many names will be submitted, he said, “they would be presenting one name”.
He added that Barisan Nasional parties, including 14 Umno and two MIC assemblymen and one from PAS, had earlier nominated him for the position.
However, he reiterated that it was the Johor Ruler’s prerogative on the matter.
“What we want is continuity in the state,” he said.
Hasni, who is also Benut assemblyman, said that he will be meeting with Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar to discuss matters soon.
Earlier Sultan Ibrahim’s private secretary, Datuk Jaba Mohd Noah, in a media statement said that the Johor Ruler was satisfied with the new coalition having a simple majority during his personal meeting with the state assemblymen on Wednesday.
“During the meeting, a total of 28 supported the new coalition while 26 supported Pakatan Harapan.
“Two assemblymen were absent, namely the Simpang Jeram assemblyman and Puteri Wangsa assemblyman,” he said.
Johor has 56 state assemblymen.
He said the new state government would have to submit its proposal for mentri besar before announcing the state line-up.
Sultan Ibrahim hoped that the new government would be able to function and continue with the state’s development.
Meanwhile, former Johor mentri besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the new coalition, which has yet to be formally named, would comprise Umno, MIC, PAS and assemblymen from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia along with those who crossed over from Pakatan.
However, he declined to name those who switched sides and whether all of the 11 Bersatu assemblymen were together in this move.
Dr Sharuddin only said that a new state government would be formed soon.
Source: TheStar
