Ex-Johor MB still Bersatu member, disciplinary board clarifies

Former Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian is still a Bersatu member, the party's disciplinary board has clarified.

Bersatu disciplinary board chairperson Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas said what he meant earlier, was that Osman would have voided his membership if he had actually campaigned for Pejuang during the Slim by-election.

If Osman had been ousted from Bersatu, it could have put the Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) state government in a bind, as the Kempas assemblyperson could side with Pakatan Harapan to cause a hung assembly.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Megat Najmuddin said there was no evidence yet that Osman had committed an offence.

"No. (What was said) earlier, is that if it was clear that he made speeches and so on, then automatically he would be ousted.

"But there is no evidence yet... he has denied that he did (as accused)," Megat said.

Osman landed in trouble after he was spotted with Bersatu-splinter group Pejuang during the by-election campaign period in Slim, and allegedly stumped for their candidate.

In a speech, Osman said that Bersatu had gone astray from its struggles, but it was not clear whether he was campaigning for Pejuang directly.

However, Osman did participate in a group photo where he and others chanted "calon nombor satu" (candidate number 1), which was the ballot paper number for Pejuang's candidate Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi.

Earlier, Megat said Osman's membership had been voided as per Clause 10.2.3 of the Bersatu constitution.

"There's no need to bring him to the disciplinary board, and the secretary-general can announce that Osman is no longer a Bersatu member because of his own actions," he had said.

Clause 10.2.3 of the party constitution states that a Bersatu member who joins a different party automatically loses their membership.

Pejuang's registration is still pending, and it is unclear if Osman will be joining the party.

Megat (photo) denied that he was making a u-turn, and merely said there was some confusion on the matter.

He said the Bersatu disciplinary board will summon the Kempas assemblyperson to explain himself soon.

Osman had declined to comment when contacted earlier.

Previously, he said that if he was sacked, he would sit on the opposition bench in the state assembly.

If he had been sacked, it would leave the Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) government with 28 seats in the state assembly against Pakatan Harapan's 27.

If Osman sides with Harapan, it would result in a hung assembly - effectively crippling the state government.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has warned that he will dissolve the state legislature - which is slated to reconvene on Sept 10 - if there is another power struggle.

Meanwhile, Johor Harapan chief Aminolhuda Hassan had previously confirmed that Osman attended a meeting with a state Amanah leader. He refused to divulge what transpired during the meeting.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin was quoted by Bernama as saying investigations into Osman will take time, but that he would remain a Bersatu member unless he admits to crossing to the other side. - Mkini