Umno's Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad struck a reconciliatory tone when delivering his winding-up speech for the state budget today, calling Pakatan Harapan a strategic partner.
Hasni, who last month tripled the allocation for opposition assemblypersons from RM50,000 to RM150,000, today announced an additional RM50,000 one-off allocation for Covid-19, bringing it to a total of RM200,000.
"We do not consider Harapan as an outsider to the Johor government.
"Harapan leaders are strategic partners in developing and creating prosperity for Johor.
"As a strategic partner, we value their views even though there are differences in mindset and ideology," he told the Johor state assembly.
Hasni said his government aims to uplift democracy, adding that a better democracy is a never-ending task.
"Based on this thinking, we want to give legitimacy to the opposition by increasing their allocation to RM150,000.
"The increase is to facilitate management and welfare programmes without obstacles in opposition constituencies.
"The state government is also aware that Covid-19 is getting serious and is therefore providing an additional one-off RM50,000 for all assemblypersons," he added.
Hasni's move came amid suggestions by some in Beratu to exact revenge on Hasni by removing him from the state's top post the same way Umno ousted Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu (above) as the Perak menteri besar.
Johor Harapan had said it will closely monitor whether Bersatu initiates such a move, but nothing materialised.
DAP's Skudai assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin hailed Hasni's reconciliatory tone.
"The role of opposition representatives should be recognised. The Johor menteri besar has begun that progress which is good and should be supported.
"Let us lay the foundations of democracy to strengthen the state and Bangsa Johor that we cherish," he said on Twitter.
- Mkini
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