New Johor Menteri Besar hot topic of discussion

JOHOR BAHARU, April 7 – With Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman almost certain of contesting a parliamentary seat in the general election, the question is who will replace him.

Whoever gets the Johor hot seat has big shoes to fill as Serom State Assemblyman Abdul Ghani is a four term Menteri Besar who took office way back in 1995.

Abdul Ghani is being touted as the best bet for Barisan Nasional (BN) to defend Gelang Patah where DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang is waiting in what many see as a titanic battle.

The most frequently mentioned name as candidate for the Menteri Besar post is Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Mohamed Khaled, the Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament is said to have good relationship with the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Several Johor Umno leaders who declined to be named said Mohamed Khaled is the top candidate to replace Abdul Ghani as the Menteri Besar.

“Mohamed Khaled can either contest the state seats of Tiram or Tanjung Puteri, where he will be reunited with mentor Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, the Johor Baharu Member of Parliament.”

Other names being mentioned as candidate for the Menteri Besar post is UDA Holdings chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Razali Ibrahim, the Muar Member of Parliament.

Pulai Member of Parliament Nur Jazlan is said to be a suitable candidate for the post of Menteri Besar as Johor continues to attract investments, particularly to Iskandar Malaysia.

An accountant by profession, Nur Jazlan is economic minded, speaks fluent Mandarin and has close ties with Singapore’s business community and young leaders of the People’s Action Party (PAP).

Another name that has emerged as candidate for the Menteri Besar post is Kukup State Assemblyman Datuk Md Othman Yusof or fondly known as “Datuk MOY”.

Datuk Md Othman is the owner of popular comic magazine “Ujang”. – Bernama