Syed Saddiq was invited for Johor ‘assembly’

 

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman claimed that he was not invited while Mazslee Malik claimed he was not allowed to enter the virtual meeting of Johor MPs and assemblymen.

PETALING JAYA: The Johor menteri besar’s office has denied Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s claim that he was not invited to the special “assembly” attended by state MPs and assemblymen to discuss the Covid-19 situation there.

In a statement, Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad’s office maintained that all Johor MPs and assemblymen were invited for the discussion, which started at 10am on Thursday.

It said the discussions were held with confidentiality, with attendees required to attend the meeting at permitted locations arranged by the district officer.

“It was for Johoreans’ welfare in facing Covid-19 and the state government views this matter seriously, as we do not practise any favouritism.

“The Johor state government also wants to thank the MPs and assemblymen who did join in the discussion, including those from the opposition. Thank you also for responding to the invitations, including those who notified beforehand that they will not be able to make it,” it said.

Last week, the Sultan of Johor voiced concern over the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Johor and said the state government, MPs and assemblymen all had a role to play in addressing the issue.

He said that although Parliament and the state assembly could not sit during the emergency, the elected representatives need to be roped in to help address the situation.

However, not every elected representative attended the meeting, with Muar MP Syed Saddiq saying he did not receive any invitation nor information on the discussion chaired by the menteri besar.

The MUDA founder said this was unfortunate as he could not perform his duties for the people of Muar. He said he could have made it for the meeting despite being called to the Dang Wangi police station over a tweet.

Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik also failed to join the discussion, taking to Twitter to express his frustration. He claimed that the menteri besar’s office did not allow him to “enter” the virtual meeting room.

The former education minister said he was told he could not join the meeting because the menteri besar had already given his speech.

“This is weird and unreasonable. I joined the link at around 9.45am, the meeting was scheduled to start at 10am. Did the MB give a speech earlier?

“This should not have happened and it reflects the disorder in the meeting’s secretariat. As an MP that is representing the people under my constituency, my attendance at this meeting is important to (air the views of) the people I am representing,” he had said. - FMT