Johor DUN may be dissolved after CNY, says Salahuddin

 

Bersatu Johor assemblypersons have denied speculation that the state assembly would soon be dissolved while Umno has indicated that it is gearing up for a state election.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, meanwhile, was unwilling to dismiss the possibility entirely.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the Pulai MP shared that he had received information that the dissolution may happen after the Chinese New Year festivities.

Salahuddin added that such speculation began when Bersatu’s Kempas assemblyperson Osman Sapian died on Dec 21 last year.

The former menteri besar’s passing left the BN-Bersatu state government with a mere one-seat majority. BN-Bersatu now has 28 seats in the Johor state assembly while Pakatan Harapan has 27.

“Johor politics is heating up. There is strong speculation that a state election will be held. Everyone knows they (BN-Bersatu) only have a one-seat majority since Osman died.

“How can a government survive or be stable with a one-seat majority? I have been getting a lot of insider information that there are preparations for the Johor assembly to be dissolved,” Salahuddin said when contacted.

Salahuddin further predicted that the dissolution may happen “a week or two” after Chinese New Year.

“They are only delaying it because they are afraid the rakyat would scold them as they (the people) are busy and saddened by the floods, which are happening nationwide and which hit Johor last week,” he added.

Chinese New Year begins in about two weeks on Feb 1 and celebrations continue for as many as 15 days.

However, two Bersatu assemblypersons dismissed the speculation with Bukit Kepong lawmaker Sahruddin Jamal denying it outright.

“There are no signs that the Johor state assembly will be dissolved. That is mere speculation. I am just relaxing here in my constituency and making preparations for more floods,” said the former menteri besar.

Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson Mazlan Bujang said he did not know about the possible dissolution.

Umno is ready

Despite these denials, a Johor Umno source who did not want to be named told Malaysiakini that the party was preparing for a state election.

According to him, the state chapter is waiting for the right time to trigger a dissolution.

“Umno is ready to face a state election in order to get a new and stronger mandate from the rakyat.

“We are confident that we will get the rakyat’s support. We are just waiting for the ‘green light’ to dissolve the state assembly,” said the source.

When doorstepped earlier today about the possibility of a Johor election, Umno president Zahid Hamidi said such an event would not take his party by surprise.

“Our level of confidence (in winning) must be based on science and data. We can’t say how confident we are before the state assembly is dissolved.

“But we believe the rakyat wants better results (for Umno) compared to GE14,” he added.

Meanwhile, Johor speaker Suhaizan Kayat opined that there was no need for the state assembly to be dissolved right now.

The Amanah politician stressed that the rakyat were still struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic.

BN still has a one-vote advantage. The government has lasted thus far with a slim majority and there have not been any problems,” he told Malaysiakini. - Mkini