ROYAL DISPLEASURE? 2 IN JOHOR EXCO LINE-UP MAY BE DROPPED AS MAHATHIR COMPROMISES WITH RULER

A day before Dr Sahruddin Jamal was sworn in on Sunday, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar set a condition for the incoming menteri besar – reshuffle the line-up of the state executive council (exco).

Sahruddin has since also indicated that heads could roll.

Sources familiar with the developments told Malaysiakini that the axe might fall on Mazlan Bujang (Bersatu-Puteriwangsa) and Tan Hong Pin (DAP-Skudai).

Mazlan, who is also Bersatu treasurer, is the exco for work, infrastructure and transport, while Tan, who is Johor DAP secretary, helms the local council, science and technology portfolio.

Photo: Mazlan Bujang

According to the sources, the two are not in the good books of the Johor palace.

Prior to Pakatan Harapan winning Johor in the last general election, Tan, who was then Mengkibol assemblyperson, had disagreed with Sultan Ibrahim’s stand not to telecast live the state legislative assembly sitting in 2017.

He also urged the BN government to persuade the ruler on this matter.

Photo: Tan Hong Pin

After Harapan took control of the state, Tan found himself in a conundrum due to two local councillors as this was under his portfolio.

One incident involved an Iskandar Puteri councillor issuing an official letter in Mandarin and English. Tan later explained that the latter was also in BM, but only the Mandarin and English versions were circulated on social media.

The other incident concerned a Pontian district councillor’s “rude” comment against Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, the sources also claimed that Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong has been notified that Tan would be dropped.

When contacted, Liew told Malaysiakini that Sahruddin has not discussed a possible reshuffle with him.

“The new menteri besar has not discussed with me yet,” he said, declining to comment further.

Photo: Dr Sahruddin Jamal

Refusing to share his views on the speculation, Tan told Malaysiakini that he would let the DAP leadership decide on his fate.

Mazlan could not be reached for comment.

Should the two be dropped, the new menteri besar would have three vacant exco slots to fill, including the portfolio previously held by his predecessor Osman Sapian.

Harapan sources told Malaysiakini that those in the running are Mohd Solihan Badri (Bersatu-Tenang), Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh (Bersatu-Permas) and Andrew Chen Kah Eng (DAP-Stulang).

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