Johor MB: I have majority support

JOHOR BARU: The status of former Johor mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian does not change the present Perikatan Nasional state government as it still commands the majority of 29 seats in the state assembly, says Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

His office has yet to receive any information pertaining to Osman, who is Kempas assemblyman, on whether he has ceased to be a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

“The present Johor government is formed through cooperation between political parties such as Barisan Nasional, PAS and Bersatu and not through individuals.

“As the head of this government, I have yet to receive any information on whether any assemblymen have ceased as members of their political party, which I take that every 29 elected representatives are still behind the state government and nothing has changed,” he said here yesterday.

Hasni said this during a press conference after witnessing the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Danga Heights Development, which is a subsidiary of Iskandar Waterfront Holdings, and MCC Singapore, a subsidiary of Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd.

When asked if there would be a dissolution of the state assembly if there is a hung assembly, Hasni, who is the state Umno and Barisan chief, said this would depend on the decision of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

He pointed out that if a mentri besar loses majority support of the 56 Johor state assemblymen, the mentri besar would then advise His Majesty on the matter.

“Whether or not the state assembly is dissolved, it is up to Sultan Ibrahim,” he said.

On Saturday, the Bersatu disciplinary board said it would likely haul up Osman after the coming state assembly meeting.

Board chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin

Megat Khas said the Kempas assemblyman would be asked to explain his alleged backing of an independent candidate in the Slim by-election.

“We will give him some time and most probably call him in after the Johor state assembly meeting,” he said.

Megat Najmuddin said under the Bersatu constitution, Osman’s membership could be terminated for going against party rules.

“However, we have to take into consideration his position as an elected representative.

“If the board gives a decision against Osman, it might cause a hung state assembly and create problems for the present government and the people of Johor, ” he said.

The Johor state assembly is scheduled to be held from Sept 10 to 13.