ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government is expected to table a proposal to introduce five nominated assemblyman positions in the state assembly meeting on Thursday (May 7).
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon (BN-Yong Peng) confirmed this on Tuesday (May 5), adding that the state government has its own long-term plans behind the proposal.
"This is aimed at improving service delivery in Johor.
"The introduction of five nominated assemblymen is so that we can offer better services and professionalism in the future," he told reporters at recess during today's meeting.
He was asked if the proposal would be brought up by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Ling said the details had yet to be discussed, adding that any appointments must have the consent of the Johor Ruler, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Ling, in his capacity as MCA Youth chief, also hit back at criticism from Tebrau MP and Johor PKR vice chairman Jimmy Puah, who described the nominated assemblymen proposal as a threat to democracy.
"PKR accepted appointed assemblymen in other states.
"Before criticising the Johor government, he should look at his own party first. It has accepted appointed assemblymen in Pahang and Sabah as well," he said.
On calls for the redelination of state constituencies, Ling said the process would take longer as it requires approval at both state and Parliament level.
He pointed to Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to increase its seats as an example of how lengthy the process could be.
"If Johor wants to do this now and bring it to Parliament, there may not be enough time (before the polls are due). Even Sarawak’s proposal has yet to reach Parliament," he said.
On Monday (May 4), Puah said the proposed constitutional amendment to expand the Johor assembly from 56 elected representatives by adding five nominated assemblymen was "a direct challenge to democratic principles".
He argued that nominated assemblymen would not represent constituencies, would not be elected by voters, but would still enjoy the same rights as elected representatives, including the right to debate and vote in the assembly.
During his debate speech on the same day, Liew Chin Tong (PH-Perling) also called for further explanation from Onn Hafiz, saying that redelineation would be a more appropriate solution instead of creating nominated assemblymen.
Liew noted that seven state constituencies currently have close to or more than 100,000 voters, including Tiram, Puteri Wangsa, Permas, Perling, Skudai, Kota Iskandar and Johor Jaya.
The 56-seat Johor Legislative Assembly comprises 40 representatives from Barisan Nasional, 12 from Pakatan Harapan, three from Perikatan Nasional and one from Muda.
