The Malaysian Insight

JOHOR Bersatu has not decided on its allegiance to the state government after Umno’s withdrawal of its support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Former Johor menteri besar and Kempas state assemblyman, Osman Sapian, said that Johor Bersatu is awaiting instructions from the party’s leadership on the matter.

He said that Johor Bersatu has not met to discuss the matter and that the state chapter is still waiting for a directive from Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu’s president.
 
“While we are waiting for the state assembly to convene, we are also waiting for the party leadership’s instruction.

“They are discussing the problems at the federal level and are yet to look at state level problems.

“If there is a change, three to four states will also have a change of government so we take a wait-and-see approach.

“The House will convene, so we will see what the situation is like, whether to stay or change the government is up to the government and the Sultan,” said Osman.

The Johor state assembly is set to convene on August 12.

Osman added that Johor Bersatu will also abide by the instructions of Johor ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

“No matter what, we abide by the leadership and in Johor we also abide by the order of the Sultan,” added Osman.

The Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) government is led by Umno. 

Currently, PH has the support of 29 state assembly members, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) has 27. 

The withdrawal of support for Hasni’s administration from any assemblyman may trigger the suspension or dissolution of the state legislative assembly. 

Johor has had two changes of Menteri Besar since the 2018 general election, which saw PH taking over the state’s administration. 

Osman was replaced as Menteri Besar by Bukit Kepong state assemblyman Dr Shahruddin Jamal after widespread unhappiness over his leadership.
 
After PN took over, Shahruddin was replaced by the incumbent, Hasni Mohammad, who is the Benut state assemblyman.

Early Thursday morning, Ahmad Zahid announced that Umno was withdrawing support for Muhyiddin and urged the prime minister to step down.

Umno’s decision came just hours after Muhiyiddin appointed Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the deputy prime minister, and promoted Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to senior minister. – July 11, 2021.