SERIOUS POLITICAL & CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS BREWS IN JOHOR: MAKE MAHATHIR NAME MUHYIDDIN AS MB OR DISSOLVE THE STATE ASSEMBLY – EMBOLDENED BY TMJ’S ‘ABSOLUTE RIGHT OF THE SULTAN TO PICK MB’, JOHOR UMNO NOW ALSO BEHAVES AS THOUGH THEY ARE ENTITLED TO CHOOSE – AND NOT PAKATAN THE RULING PARTY

State opposition leader Hasni Mohammad will have an audience with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to put forth two recommendations regarding the vacant menteri besar position.

Speaking to Malaysiakini this afternoon, the Johor Umno chief said the recommendations would be to appoint Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as the new menteri besar or for the ruler to dissolve the state assembly to pave the way for fresh polls.

Hasni, whose audience with Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled for Friday at Istana Pasir Pelangi in Johor Baru, is of the opinion that none of the other Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons speculated to become the next menteri besar are qualified for the post.

Photo: Muhyiddin Yassin

Muhyiddin, who is home minister, is also the assemblyperson for Gambir. He had once served as Johor menteri besar before moving to a federal position under BN.

Meanwhile, Hasni said having someone experienced like Muhyiddin at the helm would prevent a repeat of what happened to Osman Sapian, who resigned as menteri besar on Monday.

“Unless people like Muhyiddin wants to come back, then we see some light (at the end of the tunnel).

“He still can share his experience. Johor needs someone who has experience, Johor is not a state which can be easily led.

“The person must understand what the Johor civil service is about, understand the state constitution. (An inexperienced) MB will take a long time to learn, perhaps one or two terms,” he added.

Photo: Jais Sarday

Earlier, Johor Umno treasurer Jais Sarday also suggested that Sultan Ibrahim could dissolve the state assembly in view of the current circumstances.

He claimed that both Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim would want to place their respective candidates as menteri besar.

“Mahathir’s candidate would be a ‘yes man’ to the prime minister whereas Anwar’s candidate would have problems with Putrajaya.

“Based on this, I am of the humble opinion that the sultan can dissolve the state under Article 23 (2) of the state constitution…,” he added in a statement.

Photo: Liew Chin Tong

Meanwhile, Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong hoped for a democratic transition of power.

“I would like to reiterate that Johor is the most important political battleground in peninsula Malaysia which requires all political leaders to exercise leadership and responsibility to ensure a strong government of the people, by the people, for the people,” he added.

Liew said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has instructed all Johor DAP state assemblypersons to abide by any decisions made by the DAP central leadership with regard to the transition, in consultation with Pakatan Harapan allies.

– MKINI