Johor exco member refutes claims state polls will be held soon

JOHOR BARU: A Johor executive councillor here has rubbished claims that a state election will be held soon.

Johor education, information, heritage and culture committee chairman Mazlan Bujang said the political situation in Johor is stable and it is unlikely a state election would be held in the near future.

“This rumour has been around for a very long time. Although we only have a one-seat majority, the political situation in Johor is stable,” said Mazlan.

“Based on the closeness of all the political parties under the state government, there is no issue maintaining the current situation,” he added.

Mazlan, who is also the Tebrau Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia division chief, said that Opposition parties in Johor have been cooperating when dealing with the issues affecting people in the state.

“In Johor, we have been getting cooperation from the Opposition in handling the Covid-19 situation and the floods. It is not likely a state election will be held, especially since we are still dealing with the flood situation,” he said, commenting on speculation state polls would be held soon following the death of Bersatu assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian on Dec 21.

The Perikatan Nasional administration in Johor has a simple majority, with 28 seats against Pakatan Harapan’s 27, while one seat was left vacant after the passing of Osman, who was Kempas assemblyman.

Currently, the state government consists of Umno (14), MIC (two), PAS (one) and Bersatu (11), while the opposition comprisis DAP (14), Amanah (six) and PKR (seven).