Johor gov’t falls or is intact? Trump card in Mazlan’s hand

Johor is now facing a hung state assembly as the state legislative assemblypersons have split equally into two groups when they were summoned for an audience with the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Fifty-four of the assemblypersons signed their statutory declarations at the state palace at Bukit Timbalan near Johor Bahru, while two assemblypersons - Amanah’s Salahuddin Ayub (Simpang Jeram) and Bersatu’s Mazlan Bujang (Puteri Wangsa, above) - were absent.

According to sources, the lawmakers had to write down the coalition they supported, either Pakatan Harapan or the new coalition (gabungan baru) during their personal interview with the sultan.

Coincidentally, both sides equally got 27 votes and this has lead to the situation of a hung state assembly, a Johor Harapan source told Malaysiakini last night.

Among the assemblypersons who voted for Harapan, there were 14 from DAP, nine from Amanah, three from PKR and one from Bersatu, a source said.

This means that one PKR and seven Bersatu assemblypersons supported a new coalition to rule the state.

Salahuddin, who is also Pulai MP and Parti Amanah Negara deputy president, is expected to lean to Harapan.

Therefore, Mazlan, who is also the Johor Bersatu chairperson, will decide the fate of the state government as he, and the sole Bersatu assemblyperson who supported Harapan, are expected to take the same stand, the source added.

'Mazlan is the kingmaker now'

This is because the latter is the best partner of Mazlan in Johor, the source said.

“That’s why Mazlan is the kingmaker now, for he can influence the situation. However, he still has to depend on Putrajaya’s next move,” the source added.

When contacted, Mazlan confirmed that he has not signed the statutory declaration yet as he still needs time to observe the federal political situation and then decide which to support.

“I haven’t made my decision, let’s wait and see… we do not want to be opposition again,” he said.

He also confirmed that neither Harapan nor the new coalition would get the majority as both sides had drawn equal numbers.

“Yes we (Bersatu) quit from Harapan but this does not mean that we are supporting Barisan Nasional,” Mazlan said.

He also said that the Johor Sultan (above) consented to give him time to think on the situation.

“Sultan did give me (time to make a consideration)... Tuanku is okay,” he said.

Another Johor Harapan source said the indecisive stand of Mazlan was because the latter was eyeing the state menteri besar post.

“Not solely because of the national situation, but also because he wants to become the MB. That’s why he is considering the best solution,” the source said.

He added that once the new coalition controls the majority, it can send three names to the Johor ruler - with two being from Bersatu and one from Umno.

Meanwhile, PKR Pemanis assemblyperson Dr Chong Fat Full, when contacted by Malaysiakini, declined to reveal which party he supported.

He said he has to observe the situation first.

“If I continue staying in Harapan, this would be hard for me… anyway, I will still serve the people out there," Chong said.

Bernama yesterday reported that 56 Johor state legislative assemblypersons were summoned for an audience with Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, apparently in connection with the current political developments in the state.

The Johor state legislative assembly has 56 seats, out of which both Umno and DAP have 14 each. The remaining seats are held by Bersatu (11), Amanah (nine), PKR (five), MIC (two) and PAS (one)

On Feb 25, Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad expressed confidence that there can be a new state government thanks in part to a promised defection from PKR.

With the exit of Bersatu from Pakatan Harapan, the state assembly is hung 28 to 28. Umno has 14 state seats, MIC two, and PAS one. Bersatu has 11 seats. - Mkini

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