Johor Bersatu chiefs vow to toe the line on MB choice

Johor Bersatu division chiefs have vowed to throw their support behind the candidate for menteri besar chosen by the party's top leadership.

This was decided as all 26 of the division chiefs met with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin this afternoon.

“All 26 Johor Bersatu division chiefs have agreed to hand over the decision on the new menteri besar to the party president (Muhyiddin) and chairperson (Dr Mahathir Mohamad).

“All 26 of us will also fully support whoever is chosen by the top leadership,” said Iskandar Puteri Bersatu chief Mohd Nasir Hashim.

Nasir, the deputy chairperson of Johor Bersatu, was speaking on behalf of all division chiefs outside the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya. 

Fielding questions from reporters, however, he stopped short of disclosing who the shortlisted candidates were.

He said all the chiefs were appreciative of incumbent menteri besar Osman Sapian for his contributions to the state, and respected his decision to step down from the post.

“(But) we do feel sad over his decision,” he said.

When met earlier, Muhyiddin had declined to comment on the outcome of the meeting. 

Sources previously told Malaysiakini that Pakatan Harapan component parties had decided that the Johor’s new MB will come from Bersatu.

The four shortlisted candidates for the post were said to be Bukit Kepong assemblyperson Dr Shahruddin Jamal, Puteriwangsa assemblyperson Mazlan Bujang, Larkin assemblyperson Mohd Izhar Ahmad and Tenang assemblyperson Mohd Solihin Badri.

A decision is expected to be made after Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar grants Osman an audience this Saturday.

According to Article 4(2)(a) of the Johor state constitution, the ruler will have to choose a menteri besar whom he believes will "likely command the confidence of the majority of the members of the assembly".

At present, Bersatu has 11 assemblypersons in the 56-seat state legislative assembly. - Mkini