An independent in new Johor exco

JOHOR BARU: For the first time in Johor’s history, an independent candidate has been included in the state executive council.

The new state exco for Johor saw 10 positions divided between Umno (four), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (four), MIC (one), and the independent who quit PKR recently.

The councillors were sworn in before Johor Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar at Istana Bukit Serene here yesterday.

In his message to the council that was posted on Facebook, Sultan Ibrahim asked the councillors to be united.

“Work as a team to make sure that Johor’s economy and interest will always be safeguarded. All of you have a role to unite the rakyat for the well-being and prosperity of this state, ” he said.

Umno’s Semarang assemblyman, Datuk Samsolbari Jamali, who is also the state Umno secretary, is the Johor agriculture, agro-based and rural development committee chairman.

Rengit assemblyman Ayub Jamil is the housing and local government committee chairman; Layang-Layang assemblyman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi is the tourism, youth and sports committee chairman; while Sungai Balang assemblyman Zaiton Ismail is the women development, family and community committee chairman.

Bersatu representatives are state chairman and Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Mazlan Bujang, who is the education, information, heritage and culture committee chairman; Bukit Permai assemblyman Tosrin Jarvanthi (Islamic religious affairs committee chairman); Larkin assemblyman Mohd Izhar Ahmad (investment, cooperatives, entrepreneurship development and human resource committee chairman); and Tenang assemblyman Mohd Solihan Badri (works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman).

New line-up: Hasni (centre) with his state executive committee members (from left) Ayub, Tosrin, Vidyanathan, Mazlan, Samsolbari, Mohd Solihan, Onn Hafiz, Zaiton, Mohd Izhar and Dr Chong during a press conference held at the Johor Mentri Besar’s official residence at Saujana in Johor Baru.

Johor MIC chairman and Kahang assemblyman R. Vidyanathan is the health and environment committee chairman.

Pemanis assemblyman and former PKR member, Dr Chong Fat Full, is the unity, trade and consumers affairs committee chairman.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said he named his team of councillors as Prosperous Johor (Makmur Johor).

“These executive committee members received His Majesty’s approval, they want to contribute to Johor and work together with me to steer the state.

“Enough with the politics and fighting, as one thing for sure is all of us want the best for the state, ” said Hasni, who will also be holding the natural resources, administration, finance, as well as the economic planning and development portfolios.

Mazlan, who was also a state executive councillor under former Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, said he had the experience of handling the education portfolio.

“I was previously a teacher, trainer, and technical graduate from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, so I am no stranger to the world of education, ” he said.

Samsolbari said his experience of being the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board chairman would help him in his new role.

“My target is to increase the state’s agriculture value, and will come up with programmes that can benefit and improve our local farmers, ” he added.

Meanwhile, Johor PAS commissioner Abdullah Husin said his party was not disappointed that its sole representative, Bukit Pasir assemblyman Najib Lep, was not part of the executive council.

“We abide with the decision made by the Mentri Besar as well as Sultan Ibrahim, and will continue to support the new government, ” he said.