JOHOR BARU: Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic) has confirmed there will be a reshuffle of the Johor executive committee portfolios with an official announcement to be made next week.
The reshuffle, which the Mentri Besar described as “minimal”, comes after his administration passed the two-year mark.
“There will be a reshuffle of portfolios but it is only at a minimum level. We are doing this to make the state government stronger,” he added.
Onn Hafiz said this when met after a Johor Umno meeting at the party’s office here yesterday.
Indications of a reshuffle surfaced after The Star had reported on Feb 8 that Onn Hafiz will take over the state tourism portfolio.
He then confirmed this after a Chinese New Year gathering at his official residence.
“We just made slight changes to our portfolios. After this, I as Mentri Besar, will take care of tourism,” he said.
Commenting on the matter, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said the Mentri Besar has the right to make portfolio changes to his executive committee.
“If Onn Hafiz feels that certain state executive committee members are unable to give their best in their current portfolios, then he can make changes to give them portfolios that are suitable for them,” said Mazlan of the Razak Faculty Technology and Informatics.
“This will hopefully make his administration much more stronger and effective before the Johor state elections, which is expected to take place by early 2027.
“There is still much time for Onn Hafiz administration to carry out its plans for the state and this reshuffle will help achieve it,” he added.
On Feb 6, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim received an audience from Onn Hafiz and state secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani.
Photos of the meeting were posted on Tunku Ismail’s Facebook page, with the post saying that various state matters were discussed.
