New Johor MB up to elected party, not palace, says Dr M

(FMT) – Dr Mahathir Mohamad today maintained that the prerogative to appoint the next Johor menteri besar remains with the government and not the palace, following a series of hard-hitting criticism at his administration by Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

“This is a political thing. The sultan has got no role. The role is for the party which won the election to determine who leads,” he told reporters today after delivering the keynote address at 15th Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum here.

Yesterday, the prime minister announced the resignation of Osman Sapian as Johor menteri besar.

The announcement followed a series of remarks by Tunku Ismail criticising Pakatan Harapan’s choice of menteri besar, and telling the ruling coalition that the sultan has the final say on the state’s top executive post.

It is speculated that Bukit Kepong assemblyman Dr Sahruddin Jamal will be appointed to replace Osman, but Mahathir said no decision had been made.

“I don’t know,” he said when asked about Sahruddin.

“We will appoint as soon as we can. We want to decide on the candidate. There are several being considered. It will take a little bit of time but very quickly we’ll find it,” said Mahathir.