ISKANDAR PUTERI: There is no need to form a unity government in the state similar to what has been done at the federal level, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said this was because the Barisan Nasional-led government here was formed after the Johor state election, which was prior to the 15th General Election.
“Alhamdulilah, Johor has a good working relationship with the Federal Government. I personally am always in contact with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about handling various issues to help the people in this state, despite the fact that this is a Barisan government.
“We are still fair to Pakatan Harapan assemblymen, as all their needs are looked into. They also receive the same allocation as Barisan assemblymen.
“So for me, there is no need to reshuffle the state government executive counsellors. I am aware of their request, and that too through news reports, but there has been no official meeting held regarding this matter,” he told reporters after visiting the Maju Johor mini-carnival held at Kota Iskandar here yesterday.
The Machap assemblyman, who is also Umno Simpang Renggam division chief, added that things were stable at the moment and he believed there should not be any changes.
He, however, said discussion regarding this matter should be done in private and not through the media.
“It is not that easy to reshuffle the state executive councillors’ line-up. I do not want to get rid of three Barisan exco members.
“Whatever happens in Johor, there is a ‘Johor way’. So when it comes to matters such as changing the exco or changing the Mentri Besar, the matter must have the consent of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar,” he added.
On Sunday, state Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said he hoped to see Pakatan assemblymen appointed as Johor government executive councillors to reflect the spirit of the unity government.
He added that the unity government’s win in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections on Sept 9 was the result of a good partnership between Pakatan and Barisan.
“I hope this collaboration can also be reflected in the state government line-up with the appointment of three excos from Pakatan.
“This is what the rakyat want, and this kind of partnership will unite the people and benefit the state,” he told reporters when met at the appreciation dinner for those involved in the by-elections at a hotel here on Sunday night.
Aminolhuda, who is also Johor Pakatan deputy chairman, added that he had yet to discuss the suggestion with the state government.
The Johor exco lineup consists of 10 assemblymen, all from Barisan, after the coalition won 40 out of the 56 seats in the state election in March last year.
