JOHOR BARU: DAP has been accused of hypocrisy over its opposition to Johor’s plan to appoint assemblymen, with MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) pointing out that similar appointments have been backed by Pakatan Harapan in other states.
Dr Wee said Pahang had appointed five assemblymen in 2024, including representatives from PKR and Amanah.
“If DAP is against unelected representatives in the state assembly, why did the party’s state leaders support the appointments in Pahang? Why is it acceptable there but not in Johor? DAP has to stop being consistently inconsistent,” said the Ayer Hitam MP.
Dr Wee said the Johor proposal 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 appointed assemblymen?” he added.
His remarks came after DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming called on the Johor government to reconsider the constitutional amendment allowing the appointments.
Nga said Pakatan opposed the move, describing it as undemocratic and contrary to the Federal Constitution, and announced plans to launch a signature campaign among Johor residents.
On Thursday, the Johor state assembly passed the constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority, paving the way for the appointment of five assemblymen.
The Bill was tabled by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who said the move was aimed at strengthening the legislature by bringing professionals into the policymaking process.
He added that similar mechanisms already exist in states such as Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah.
In Sabah, six assemblymen were appointed last December, including Kota Kinabalu PKR division chief Grace Lee Li Mei.
In 2020, the Pahang state assembly passed an amendment to increase the number of state assemblymen from 42 to a maximum of 47 without going through the election process.
Five assemblymen, including Pahang Amanah chairman Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly and state PKR chairman Rizal Jamin, were appointed in 2024.
