JOHOR BARU: DAP has been labeled hypocrital for having double standards over Johor’s move to appoint nominated assemblymen, when records show that Pakatan Harapan had backed similar appointments in other states.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that Pahang had appointed five nominated assemblymen in 2020, including those from PKR and Amanah.
“If DAP is against unelected representatives in the state assembly, why did the party’s leaders support the move in Pahang?
“Why is it acceptable there but not in Johor? DAP has to stop being consistently inconsistent,” the Ayer Hitam MP said.
Dr Wee said the proposal in Johor had also gone through the proper legislative process after securing a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.
“How can it be wrong in DAP’s eyes when Johor implements such a move, but perfectly acceptable when other states like Sabah and Terengganu also have nominated assemblymen?” he asked.
His comments came following DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming’s calls for the Johor government to reconsider amending the state constitution to allow the appointments.
Nga said Pakatan objected to the move, describing it as undemocratic and contrary to the Federal Constitution, adding that Pakatan would launch a signature campaign among Johor residents to oppose the proposal.
On Thursday (May 8), the Johor Legislative Assembly passed a constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority, paving the way for the appointment of five nominated assemblymen.
The Bill was tabled by Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who said the move was aimed at strengthening the legislature by bringing professionals into the policymaking process.
He said similar mechanisms had already been introduced in states such as Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah.
In December last year, Sabah appointed six nominated assemblymen, including Kota Kinabalu PKR division chief Grace Li Mei.
In November 2024, five nominated assemblymen including Pahang Amanah chairman Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly and state PKR deputy chairman Rizal Jamin were appointed into the state assembly following an amendment.
