OSMAN TO FACE BERSATU DISCIPLINARY BOARD
Ex-Johor MB told to explain allegations that he aided another candidate during Slim by-election
FORMER Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, for the time being, remains a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) member.
Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas said the Kempas assemblyman would be called before the board to explain allegations that he aided the campaign of the independent candidate in the Slim by-election last week.
The allegations came about after several news portals reported that Osman lost his party membership automatically based on Article 10.2.3 of the Bersatu Constitution for aiding a candidate in the by- election campaign.
“We do not want to make a hasty decision because it will result in the Johor state assembly being hung, which, in turn, will affect the people. We have to prioritise the people.
“We will call Osman to face the party’s disciplinary board soon. We will issue a letter to him and give him a week,” Megat Najmuddin said.
On Monday, Pulai Bersatu division said it would lodge a complaint against Osman, who campaigned for an independent candidate during the Slim byelection, to the party’s disciplinary board next week.
Its division chief, Ya’cob Atan, said the complaint would be made after the party held a division meeting next week.
Party deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu on Thursday said the party left it to the disciplinary board to determine Osman’s fate.
The Johor state assembly, which has 56 seats, sees both Umno and DAP with 14 seats each, Bersatu (12), MIC (two), Pas (one), Amanah (nine) and PKR (four).
At the moment, Perikatan Nasional has 29 seats compared with Pakatan Harapan, which has 27 seats, with the simple majority being 29 seats.