Surely you can do better, Johor Harapan

We refer to the statement made by our newly installed Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian that certain policies of the past BN state administration will be retained.

We wish to refer three comments made by Osman after he took his oath of office to be the new menteri besar.

Johor Harapan will “think about” the role of the state opposition leader being recognised.

Johor Harapan will not be giving development allocations to opposition members as BN did not give to the opposition before. He added that this is the right of the ruling government, and that to give allocations to BN assemblypersons would be like giving them bullets.

That the new MB will also hold the finance and land portfolio.

We view these remarks by the menteri besar with grave concern as they are totally not in keeping with the promises made in Harapan’s election manifesto and the standards set by the governments in Selangor and Penang over their last two terms.

Firstly, it was promised in the Buku Harapan that the leader of the opposition (in Parliament, but it should be similar for state assemblies) will be accorded the same status and allocation as that of a federal minister (or state exco).

This was also the practice in the Selangor state legislative assembly, where the state opposition leader is fully recognised and funded. To give the excuse that there might not be enough finance is unacceptable for a state whose income is approximately RM1.5 billion annually.

The new MB must prioritise state legislature reforms so that we can fulfil the principles of parliamentary democracy where the voices of all rakyat are heard through their elected representatives.

Secondly, constituency development funds (CDF) are meant for the people of the constituency, to allow their elected representatives to serve them. The voters of constituencies that elected BN representatives are as much entitled to the CDF as those who voted for Harapan simply because they are as much Bangsa Johor as the rest.

Are you the menteri besar for all Johoreans or just to those who supported your coalition? Such punitive politics (politik balas dendam) should have no place in a matured society.

Lastly and most importantly, even though it is usual for the menteri besar to be in charge of both finance and land matters, we hope that Osman will keep to the spirit of the promise made in the Buku Harapan.

In promise number 12, it was clearly stated that the prime minister (which should also apply to menteris besar and chief ministers), shall not hold more than one portfolio in the cabinet, especially the finance portfolio.

The 1MDB scandal took place because the prime minister was also the finance minister. Please learn from this painful and shameful episode in our nation’s history and let all transactions be done with full transparency and accountability.

Please be reminded that Johoreans who overwhelmingly voted in Harapan have high hopes that this government would not only serve the needs of the people but also set higher standards in integrity, transparency and magnanimity towards the opposition and those who disagree with you.

We want you to be different from the previous government, we expect you to be better.

THOMAS FANN is chairperson of Engage. -Mkini