Johor Umno wants state assembly dissolved to pave way for fresh polls

JOHOR BARU: State Umno treasurer Datuk Md Jais Sarday has suggested that the Johor state assembly be dissolved to pave the way for fresh state elections.

He outlined several reasons for this, including the fact that after 10 months of Pakatan Harapan controlling the state, the people still could not see the direction the state was headed.

He added that Pakatan did not have assemblymen with credibility or experience to run the state government.

“A state election will give the people a chance to appoint a government which they are confident with,” he said.

Md Jais, who is Kluang Umno division chief, said the problems in the Pakatan state government started after Datuk Osman Sapian was elected mentri besar.

“Many questioned his ability to run the state based on his background, and he himself admitted that he did not complete his higher education,” he added.

He said Osman was not able to provide a clear direction for his administration when handling the Pasir Gudang tragedy.

“All this has caused the public to be worried as the state leadership has been seen as without credibility to run the state,” he added.

Md Jais said many felt that although Johor was located next to Singapore, it was not progressing.

He said after Osman resigned, the political impasse continued with who would take over as mentri besar.

“Many see this as a move by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to place a ‘yes man’, while a candidate chosen by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will have problems with Putrajaya.

“As such, I humbly suggest that the Johor Ruler dissolve the state assembly based on Section 23(2) of the Undang Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Johor 1895,” he said.

The statute states that the Ruler may prorogue or dissolve the legislative assembly.

Meanwhile, Johor Umno chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad, who is also Benut assemblyman, said he would be having an audience with the Johor Ruler at Istana Pasir Pelangi on Friday, soon after Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar returns from his overseas trip.

“Pakatan is basically scraping the bottom of the barrel just to find candidates to replace Osman,” he said here on Wednesday.

He added that the rumoured candidates from Pakatan as the next mentri besar have no experience and would put Johor in double jeopardy if they get the job.