'Harapan won't last beyond five years in Johor if it behaves like BN'

At least two Pakatan Harapan state assemblypersons in Johor have spoken out after the newly-minted menteri besar Osman Sapian indicated that he will retain BN's policy of denying allocations to the opposition.

Skudai assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin warned that the Johor Harapan government will not survive beyond five years if it behaves like BN.

"Unless Harapan wants to only be a five-year state government, we cannot follow bad practices, we must move forward to bring the reformation agenda,” he told Malaysiakini.

Tan stressed that the reason voters backed Harapan was that they expected change.

"Harapan has consistently fought for more space for the opposition. It doesn't matter that we are now the ruling party, we must have an efficient opposition for check and balance.

"As such, we must recognise the state opposition and provide them with resources to perform their duty to check and balance," the said Johor DAP committee member.

Meanwhile, Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan admitted that “a particular statement” caused anxiety among the people yesterday, but did not specifically name Osman.

"We take note of the anxiety caused to the Johor people by a particular statement yesterday.

"Based on the trust granted to Johor Harapan, I, as the Amanah Johor chief, promise that the new government will always be one of integrity, trust and fairness for all Johoreans.

"The statement yesterday is not a final policy statement. Give us time to study the budget left behind by the (former) Umno/BN government," he said.

Yesterday, Osman said the opposition will not receive allocations – as practised by the previous BN state administration – due to budget constraints.

Osman, who is also the Johor Bersatu secretary, also presided over a press conference that saw the defections of three Umno assemblypersons to Bersatu shortly before being announced as the new Johor menteri besar candidate. -Mkini