Focus on efforts to develop Johor – Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hopes that the Johor state administration will run smoothly and focus will be on efforts to develop the state, following the transition of leadership.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president also thanked the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar for giving his consent on the appointment of Bukit Kepong assemblyman, Dr Sahruddin Jamal as the new Menteri Besar of Johor, as proposed by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister and PH chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his guidance, support and giving full confidence in Johor PH to come to a consensus in the transition of leadership in the state government.

“I am grateful that with Allah’s blessings the Pakatan Harapan leaders at the state and central levels reached a consensus to allow a smooth transition of leadership,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Home Minister, congratulated Dr Sahruddin on his appointment and hoped he would carry out his duties with honesty and integrity.

Dr Sahruddin was sworn in as the 17th Menteri Besar of Johor at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Bahru yesterday morning. He replaces Datuk Osman Sapian.

In Johor Bahru, Johor Bersatu media director Mohd Solihan Badri in congratulating the appointment of Dr Sahruddin thanked Bersatu central leadership as well as PH component parties’ leaders for reaching a consensus on the Johor menteri besar post.

“Johor Bersatu has high expectation and is confident of Dr Sahruddin’s ability to lead Johor to become a developed state and a Pakatan stronghold,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

According to the Tenang state assemblyman Bersatu leaders at the division level should give their support to Dr Sahruddin in performing his duties and strengthening the party.

Meanwhile Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik in his Facebook posting yesterday congratulated Dr Sahruddin on his appointment.

Maszlee also hoped that Johor would remain developed and prosperous under the leadership of the new menteri besar.

Johor Umno Youth chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah in expressing his wishes on the occasion hoped Dr Sahruddin would do a better job in improving the wellbeing of the people.

At the same time he reminded that Umno would act as an agent of check and balance in ensuring that the people’s voices are heard.

Meanwhile, Dr Sahruddin’s mother Isniah Kasmongin, 72, when met at her home in Kampung Batu 28, Lenga said, she never expected her eighth child to be appointed as menteri besar.

Isniah said as a mother she was proud of her son’s achievement, as her late husband Jamal Kasran had always wanted to see his children succeed as leaders.

“He (Dr Sahruddin) called to inform me on his appointment yesterday. We were so overjoyed that some of his siblings started crying. I am happy and grateful.I hope he will administer the state efficiently and with integrity, she added.

Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong in expressing support on Dr Sahruddin’s appointment said the party would give the new menteri besar their full cooperation to ensure progress and well-being of the people are taken care of.

On the reshuffle of the state executive council Liew said it was up to the Menteri Besar to decide. - Bernama