Outcome of meeting with Johor MB and Dr M remains unknown

PUTRAJAYA: The big question remains about Datuk Osman Sapian’s position as Johor Mentri Besar as the outcome of his meeting with the Prime Minister is unknown.

The Prime Minister’s Office said that no statement would be issued while Osman (pic) could not be reached for comment after giving the media a slip following his 20-minute meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday.

PMO officials confirmed that the meeting between Dr Mahathir and the Mentri Besar took place.

Osman’s meeting with the Prime Minister fuelled talk of him having to step down although his aides had downplayed it, saying that this was a “planned meeting”.

It is understood that the Mentri Besar arrived an hour ahead of his appointment but only got to see the Prime Minister at 6.20pm.

He left the Perdana Putra Complex around 6.50pm in a white Toyota Alphard bearing registration number JDT51 via a different gate to avoid the media.

There had been chatter about Osman’s position following speculation that the Johor palace was dissatisfied with the way Osman handled the Sungai Kim Kim gas contamination, which saw the closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang.

He was also criticised when he went to Batam at the height of the Sungai Kim Kim crisis.

Osman, who is the state Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, is said to have returned to Johor immediately after the meeting.

His presence or absence from the Malaysia-Singapore Leaders Retreat today will be closely watched as it may be an indication about his position.

Source : TheStar