Johor Sultan meets state reps to gauge where majority lies

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar personally meets with most of the 56 assemblymen in the state to find out which side had the majority to form the next state government.

Johor Bersatu chief Mazlan Bujang from Puteri Wangsa and Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub from Simpang Jeram could not attend the interview on time as both of them were in Kuala Lumpur.

It is learnt that the assemblymen from all parties including Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional were asked to state their stand – in writing – on which party they supported.

The process was carried out at the old government administration building of Bukit Timbalan here yesterday.

Sultan Ibrahim decided to meet the assemblymen after both sides claimed that they had the simple majority to form the next government following the collapse of the Pakatan state government after 11 Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia assemblymen quit the state government.

Among the first to arrive were former state exco Dzulkefly Ahmad, followed by Jimmy Puah Wee Tse, Dr S. Ramakrishnan, Liow Cai Tung, Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar, Mohd Solihan Badri and Aminolhuda Hassan.

Also present were state Barisan chief Datuk Hasni Mohammad and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

Presently, Pakatan has 28 assemblymen after the exit of the 11 Bersatu representatives.

However, Pakatan will need at least one more assemblymen from Bersatu to form the state government.

There are 14 Umno assemblymen, two from MIC and one from PAS.Hasni was upbeat about forming the next state government. The Benut assemblyman said that each assemblyman was clear on their stand during their meeting with the Ruler.

He added that it was still early to make an announcement in terms of the figures as every assemblyman confessed alone to Sultan Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Johor Parti Amanah Negara chief Aminolhuda Hassan said that the meeting with Sultan Ibrahim went smoothly.

“I made it clear that my stand was with the Pakatan government before writing it down.

“I am confident that once the issues at the federal level have been dealt with, the situation in Johor will follow suit, ” he said.

Political analyst from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Dr Mohd Akbal Abdullah said the Ruler’s gesture to meet the state’s elected representatives would help solve the issue of who should lead the state government.

The actions of His Majesty mirrored the process of democracy, he added.

“As the head of state, Sultan Ibrahim has the right to listen to the views of assemblymen from both sides.

“His Majesty will he able to make a wise decision to help safeguard the rakyat’s interest, ” he said in an interview.

Mohd Akbal said the issue was expected to be resolved within the next few days following Sultan Ibrahim’s meeting with the state assemblymen.