All calm: Muhyiddin speaking to Osman (left) during the Johor state assembly meeting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.
KOTA ISKANDAR: The anticipated fireworks fizzled out on the first day of the Johor state assembly as the meeting took place without any ruckus between the government bloc and Pakatan Harapan.
This came following uncertainty when former mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian attended programmes organised by Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, prior to the state assembly meeting.
The 69-year-old Kempas assemblyman is expected to be hauled up by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia disciplinary board soon.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Gambir assemblyman, was also present and sat next to Osman during the meeting held at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.
Osman was seen smiling as he spoke to Muhyiddin when Speaker Suhaizan Kaiat adjourned the meeting for a 20-minute break.
After the recess, Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad tabled a motion on the state economic stimulus package.
In his speech, the Benut assemblyman said the RM174.5mil stimulus package was needed as Johor’s economy was affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fall of oil prices, closure of the border and political instability.
“Johor and Malaysia have never been in such a difficult situation since gaining independence.
“So for Johor to come out from this problem now, it will be very difficult,” he said.
Hasni said elected representatives should not just merely support him or the actions and policies of the state government.
“All state assemblymen should do what is appropriate. Do the right thing. Do it for Johor and its people.
“In view of the current environment, the focus must not be all about politics, fighting, emotion and rhetoric,” he said.
Suhaizan then allowed the motion to be debated by six assemblymen with three each representing the government and Pakatan.
The six were Dzulkefly Ahmad (Pakatan-Kota Iskandar), Najib Lep (PAS-Bukit Pasir), Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (Pakatan-Bukit Batu), Rosleli Jahari (Bersatu-Johor Lama), Chew Chong Sin (Pakatan-Mengkibol) and Zahari Sarip (Barisan-Buloh Kasap).Deputy Speaker Gan Peck Cheng then postponed the voting for the motion to Sunday.
Did you find this article insightful?
