Johor Bersatu chairman says none of party's 11 state reps will jump to Opposition

JOHOR BARU: None of the 11 Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) elected representatives will jump ship and join the Opposition bloc, says its chairman Mazlan Bujang.

The Puteri Wangsa assemblyman, who is also the state Education, Information, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman, pointed out that there was talk that even he would be jumping ship.

“There are allegations saying that I made some demands to jump such as 50ha land and RM2mil but this is untrue and baseless.

“Do not question my loyalty, I am ready to swear on it, ” he said adding that he knew the person who made the accusation.

Mazlan said this when met after officiating the state-level Teachers Day celebration held at the Johor Education Department headquarters here Thursday (June 4).

He also said that the party has pledged its loyalty to Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

Mazlan added that he sees His Majesty’s decree not as a warning but as a concern from Sultan Ibrahim, who wanted to see peace and wellbeing in the state.

On Wednesday (June 3), Sultan Ibrahim issued a stern warning to the 56 elected representatives – stop the constant politicking or he will dissolve the state assembly, which will force an election.

His Majesty said he was disappointed that political turmoil was still occurring in Johor, where there were power-crazed leaders who continued to grab positions for their self-interest.

“With the rakyat still facing difficulties, they seem to not care and are willing to add more to the rakyat’s suffering, ” he said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page Wednesday.

“I don’t want my rakyat to suffer, and will not allow my state to be chaotic, ” he added.

Sultan Ibrahim pointed out that he had taken an oath to protect and defend the people and the state at all times.

“If there is power-grabbing happening among the elected representatives, then I will immediately dissolve the Johor state assembly.

“I will give an opportunity to the rakyat in Johor to choose their new representatives.

“I hope this time around they pick leaders who are sincere in serving the rakyat and state, instead of their respective parties or self-interest, ” he had said.

Sultan Ibrahim’s stern warning comes amid ongoing talk that several assemblymen in Johor will become independent, which will see a change of government.