Opposition demands consultation on Johor govt 'coordinators' in non-BN areas

 

The Johor chapters of Pakatan Harapan and Muda have urged the state government to involve opposition lawmakers in the activities of the soon-to-be appointed state assembly coordination committee members.

In a joint statement, Harapan and Muda said the new coordinators have a responsibility to work together with opposition lawmakers and not bypass them.

"Based on the principle of bipartisanship, all facilities and invitations to functions or official meetings involving (constituency) coordinators must be extended to opposition lawmakers," said Harapan and Muda.

Harapan and Muda were referring to Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi's plan to appoint 16 government coordinators for opposition-held constituencies.

Onn Hafiz said the coordinators will come from BN component parties and will help implement state government initiatives.

Currently, there are similar arrangements in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang - all ruled by Harapan.

No objection to the plan

Harapan and Muda did not object to the plan and instead suggested that the arrangement can be improved by including all lawmakers at district level policy meetings.

"Opposition lawmakers are chosen by the people. They should be given access to information received by the district development committee," they said.

Lawmakers should also be given access to information provided by the district disaster management committee, the district security committee and other key committees, they added.

Harapan and Muda also urged the state government to publish the 16 coordinator's activities on a quarterly basis.

This arrangement will allow for greater cooperation between opposition lawmakers and the state-appointed coordinators.

“All opposition lawmakers will support good efforts by the government for the benefit of the rakyat and the development of Johor," they said. - Mkini