Johor Pakatan Harapan said they respect Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's decree threatening snap polls if there is a power struggle.
This comes amid rife speculation that Harapan is on the cusp of staging a countercoup. Leaders who Malaysiakini spoke to have said that negotiations are at an advanced stage.
In a statement today, the state Harapan leadership said they hold firm to the principles of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy in facing the current political situation.
"Johor Harapan takes note and upholds Sultan Ibrahim's decree.
"We stress our commitment and full confidence in parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy which is the backbone of our state and country," they said.
The statement was jointly signed by Johor Harapan party chiefs, (above from left) Aminolhuda Hassan (Amanah), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PKR), and Liew Chin Tong (DAP).
Sultan Ibrahim earlier said if there was another power struggle he would dissolve the state assembly, and let the people elect new leaders.
PN came to power in Johor earlier this February after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Gambir assemblyperson, took his party out of Harapan.
However, PN has a slim lead of 29 seats against Harapan's 27. A single defection would result in a hung assembly.
It is understood that Bersatu leaders unhappy with the state being led by Umno are in talks with Harapan to crossover and rejoin the coalition.
Johor PKR deputy chief Jimmy Puah said this could translate to action soon.
"We expected something to happen this month but now we need to discuss among ourselves how to proceed.
"The general perception in Johor is that we must have something (the numbers), hence maybe why the decree was made," Puah told Malaysiakini.
Johor DAP secretary Tan Hong Pin, meanwhile, said political stability was important, as the people need direction and leadership to face the pandemic and economic crisis.
He said this was lacking as PN is struggling to keep power and cannot focus on governing.
Hence, he said dissolving the state assembly could restore political stability to Johor, but that the timing was not yet right.
"(If there are snap polls) we can prove the legitimacy of a government and rebuild the people's trust.
"However, there is still the big question, whether we can achieve that purpose (stabilising the political situation), also now is not the right time to have snap polls as we have to focus on the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.
According to Article 23(2) of the Johor state constitution, the sultan has the power to dissolve the state assembly.
However, Article 7(1) states that the ruler must act on the advice of the state government.
Article 7(2)(b) states that the sultan may act in his discretion to withhold consent for the dissolution of the state assembly.
It is likely, however, that Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad will advise the sultan to dissolve the assembly should he lose his slim majority in the state government. - Mkini
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