JOHOR BAHRU: A new coalition called Gabungan Baharu will form the next government in Johor.
This follows the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in the state losing its majority because Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) pulled out of PH, causing the State Assembly to be in a hung situation.
Datuk Jaba Mohd Noah, the private secretary to the Sultan of Johor, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal together with Johor Umno chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad informed Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on the formation of the new coalition yesterday.
In an Istana Johor statement here today, Jaba said following the development, the Johor Sultan summoned all 56 assemblymen (Adun) in the state to hear for himself on which coalition they supported,
Of the 56, two Adun, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Simpang Jeram) and Mazlan Bujang (Puteri Wangsa) could not make it.
“On completion of the interviews, Tuanku (Sultan Ibrahim) was satisfied that the new coalition (Gabungan Baharu) had the simple majority to form the government, when 28 Adun chose Gabungan Baharu as compared to 26 Adun choosing Pakatan Harapan.
“As such, the new coalition has the right to nominate the candidate to be Menteri Besar before the state executive lineup is appointed,” said Jaba.
The audiences of the Adun before Sultan Ibrahim witnessed by State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani and State Legal Advisor Amir Nasruddin took place from 3 pm to 5 pm at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, Bukit Timbalan, here yesterday.
Each Adun was required to sign a statutory declaration to confirm whether they supported PH or Gabungan Baharu.
Jaba added that Sultan Ibrahim hoped the Johor state government could be formed without delay to ensure the state’s development proceeds smoothly for the wellbeing of the people.
Of the 56 seats in the State Assembly, DAP and Umno each have 14 seats, Bersatu (11), Amanah (9), PKR (5), MIC (2) and PAS (1). – Bernama
