MEDIA STATEMENT
It is shocking that Johor Opposition leader Hasni Mohammad intends to propose Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the new Menteri Besar of Johor to HRH the Sultan of Johor (HRH), failing which, to request HRH to dissolve the state assembly.
I note Muhyiddin has responded saying that he will not take up the said MB post today.
With respect, there is no provision allowing Hasni to do this in the Johor State Constitution and he may be misleading HRH in his attempt to do so.
Hasni’s reliance on Article 23(2) of the Johor State Constitution is certainly without basis as the said article provides for the dissolution of the State Assembly by HRH in general, for example when a general election is called, not in a situation where a MB resigns.
In the present situation, there can be no doubt that PH enjoys a comfortable majority in the Johor State Assembly and as such, it is for the PH government to submit a list of names to HRH for consideration as the next MB.
It is also pertinent to note that only one name can be submitted as there is nothing in the said state constitution which specifies the number of names to be submitted to HRH.
Hasni and the opposition have no business to dictate terms as to who the new MB should be and there is certainly no basis to dissolve the state assembly at this time as the PH government has more than a two thirds majority in the state assembly.
It is hoped the matter is resolved amicably as soon as possible and a new MB installed without any further delay.
Dated this 11th April, 2019.
RAMKARPAL SINGH
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
BUKIT GELUGOR
CHAIRMAN NATIONAL LEGAL BUREAU
DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY