Johor assembly to be dissolved today?

 

The Barisan Nasional-led government’s majority was reduced to a solitary seat following the death of Bersatu’s Kempas assemblyman Osman Sapian in December.

PETALING JAYA: All political parties in Johor are gearing towards a snap poll following strong speculation that the state assembly will be dissolved this evening.

It is understood that Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad is likely to hold a press conference to make the announcement after a special Umno meeting.

However, state assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kaiat told FMT that he had not been told yet despite all the speculation.

“If anything, it will be the menteri besar who will make the announcement. I will just be notified to prepare the necessary paperwork for the gazettement and all,” he said when contacted.

A DAP assemblyman said the Pakatan Harapan leadership had not issued any directive yet but they had started making preparations of their own following the “very strong rumours” over the last few days.

“It is going to be tough under the circumstances but we will fight,” he said.

If the assembly is dissolved today, an election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution, which means that the latest one must be held by March 22.

There was talk in recent weeks that an election could be on the cards, with the Barisan Nasional-led government’s majority reduced to a solitary seat following the death of Bersatu’s Kempas assemblyman Osman Sapian in December.

Johor will be the third state to hold an election in as many months. Melaka and Sarawak went to the polls in November and December respectively.

A bevy of BN leaders have spoken about the need for an election, possibly in the hope that the coalition can capitalise on its momentum from the victories in Melaka and Sarawak.

Umno Johor deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed said on Wednesday that the government was in a “precarious position” following Osman’s death and said now was the time for polls as Umno was in pole position to come out victorious.

“The opposition is afraid because they know that Umno is in a position of strength, not weakness. The results from the Melaka state elections are proof of this. We got excellent results there,” he told CNA.

Selangor BN information chief Isham Jalil told Sin Chew yesterday that elections “need to be held in the near future to get the people’s mandate”, predicting the coalition could secure 32 to 42 spots in the 56-seat assembly. - FMT