History and nostalgia in Johor
First non-Malay woman Deputy Speaker named as Muhyiddin returns
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The swearing-in of the state assemblymen saw a few comebacks and a historic first.
Those who made their comebacks were Pribumi president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his party colleague Tosrin Javanthi.
When Muhyiddin was in the Johor state assembly 23 years ago, he was with Umno – as the Bukit Serampang assemblyman and mentri besar between 1986 and 1995.
“Previously, I represented Barisan Nasional but now, I am with the Pakatan Harapan government,” he said after the swearing-in of 56 assemblymen in Kota Iskandar here yesterday.
Muhyiddin, who is also Home Minister, won the Gambir state seat in the 14th General Election.
Bukit Permai assemblyman Tosrin said he was making his return after a 34-year absence.
“When I was the Sedili assemblyman, Muhyiddin was the mentri besar and now that we are both here, it feels a bit nostalgic.
“But this is the first time I’ve stepped into the Bangunan Sultan Ismail building as the previous state assembly was held at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim in Johor Baru,” said Tosrin, who also used to be with Barisan.
At the swearing-in, Penggaram assemblywoman Gan Peck Cheng
became the first woman and non-Malay to be appointed the Deputy Speaker.
Gan, who is the Johor DAP secretary and the Wanita wing vice-chairman, was the state Opposition Leader when Johor was under
Barisan rule.
The 52-year-old is a former kindergarten teacher.
Parti Amanah Negara organising secretary Suhaizan Kaiat was appointed the new state Speaker.
Born in Muar, Suhaizan, 45, was
a PAS member until 2015 and has a degree and a Masters in Computer Science from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia where he used to work as a tutor and lecturer for four years.
He is the vice-chairman of Johor Amanah.