JOHOR BARU: The five nominated assemblymen positions in Johor must not be used as a currency or bargaining chips to broker political alliances, says Amira Aisya Abd Aziz.
The Muda president said the nominated assemblymen whose post was created in an enactment that was tabled and passed in the Johor state assembly in May, are entitled to taxpayer salaries and pensions.
“The nominated positions should not serve as a currency to execute trade-offs between political parties.
“This is something the rakyat does not deserve," she said during a press conference at Muda’s command centre in Taman Ecocascadia here on Sunday (June 28).
She was asked about PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s call to members and supporters of the Islamist party to vote for Barisan Nasional candidates, where Perikatan Nasional is not contesting in the state polls.
Amira Aisya said that while she chooses to "stay out of other people's houses" regarding the internal strategies and voting directives of opposing parties, she expressed concern that if the nominated assemblymen system is officially gazetted into the state’s law, it would establish a damaging precedent for future state elections.
“Then these appointed positions will merely be used as negotiation capital between political parties after every election.
“In the end, political parties gain profit, while the rakyat suffers the consequences," she added.
She said when Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi initially tabled the proposal, it was argued that nominated assemblymen would inject technical expertise directly into the state assembly.
She said this was what select committees are for - to discuss proposals from experts and then table them in the state budget.
"Since you are a major party contesting numerous seats with a substantial budget and you want experts in the state assembly, then field those experts as your actual election candidates, not rely on nominated positions,” she said.
For the latest updates on the 16th Johor state election,visit https://elections.thestar.com.my/
