JOHOR BARU: Datuk Osman Sapian (pic) says he is still the Mentri Besar and will carry on with his duties until he meets Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
The Kempas assemblyman said he would have an audience with the Sultan today.
“I am still the Mentri Besar until I hand over my resignation letter to Sultan Ibrahim,” he said during a press conference here yesterday.
Osman also pointed out he was still the Johor Pakatan Harapan and the Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman.
He said he would hold a press conference after his audience with Sultan Ibrahim.
It is learnt that the meeting between Sultan Ibrahim and Osman will be held at 10am in Istana Pasir Pelangi here.
Osman, however, declined to comment on the candidates who could replace him.
“You can ask the party president (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) as I have nothing to say on this matter,” he said.
Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, had reportedly said the new names for the post of mentri besar would be presented to Sultan Ibrahim after he accepted Osman’s resignation.
The Pagoh MP said Osman had sent his resignation to the Johor Sultan on Monday.
There has been much discussion as to whether the Sultan of Johor has the absolute right to appoint a new mentri besar of his choice.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had pointed out that Malaysia was a constitutional and not absolute monarchy and the role of appointing the new Johor mentri besar lies with the party that won the election.
Sultan Ibrahim had said he wanted certain groups to stop meddling in matters concerning Johor, vowing that he would make the best decision for the people when the time comes.
His Majesty returned home from an overseas trip last night.
He arrived at the Senai International Airport royal hangar at around 8.10pm and was greeted by Tunku Bendahara Johor Tunku Abdul Majid Idris Sultan Iskandar, Johor Royal Court president Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli and state secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.
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