Calm down, Muhyiddin tells Johor PPBM assemblymen

 

PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin, who is assemblyman for Gambir, and Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad voting for the 2021 Johor state budget to enter the committee stage. (Bernama pic)

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor PPBM assemblymen were told to calm down by party president Muhyiddin Yassin today, shortly before the 2021 state budget came up for a vote on its second reading.

A party informant who asked to remain anonymous told FMT that Muhyiddin had explained the political situation in Perak, where PPBM deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu lost a confidence vote and resigned as menteri besar yesterday.

Muhyiddin held a half-hour meeting with the party’s assemblymen during a break in the assembly debate. He urged them to follow orders.

“There were a lot of matters discussed, including party issues and party problems in Johor,” the source said. “He also explained the real situations that happened in Perak, asking us to remain calm.”

The 2021 Johor state budget was approved for the committee stage debate on a voice vote.

All eyes were on the sitting today as there was speculation that Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad might be forced to step down if the budget was not approved.

There had also been speculation that PPBM members might retaliate against Hasni, who is from Umno, because the Perak vote, where Faizal was defeated by 48 votes to 10, with one abstention. However, Faizal had urged PPBM members yesterday not to take retaliatory measures.

The Johor assembly has 56 seats with Umno and DAP each holding 14, followed by PPBM (12), MIC (two), PAS (one), Amanah (nine) and PKR (four). The Perikatan Nasional state government holds 29 seats from Umno, PPBM, PAS, and MIC while the opposition Pakatan Harapan commands 27 seats from DAP, Amanah and PKR. - FMT