Bersih: Premature for Johor to declare new state gov't

Bersih today said the declaration of a new coalition government to replace the Pakatan Harapan government in Johor was premature.

It noted that the Johor palace announcement that the new coalition has the support of 28 assemblypersons to Harapan's 26 persons had left out two assemblypersons who have not made their stand in the 56-member assembly.

"There is a risk of a hung assembly of 28-28 should the two choose to remain with Harapan and, as such, the declaration of a new state government at this juncture may be premature.

"We urge the Sultan of Johor to allow the assemblypersons to choose for themselves in a special state assembly session on who should form the state government, in keeping with how the Dewan Rakyat will choose the next prime minister," said the Bersih steering committee in a statement today.

The two assemblypersons who have yet to state their positions were Simpang Jeram assemblyperson Salahuddin Ayub (Amanah) and Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson Mazlan Bujang (photo) (Bersatu).

The Johor ruler had interviewed all assemblypersons on their support yesterday but Salahuddin could not attend as there was a separate interview by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong over the support of MPs at the federal level.

Meanwhile, Mazlan, when he was summoned yesterday, had asked for more time to decide.

If the 54 out of the 56 assemblypersons had stated their support along party lines during the royal interview, the tally would have come to 27 to 27.

However, the 28 to 26 vote in favour of the new coalition suggest that there was one defection from Harapan.

In the run-up to the interview, PKR sources had pointed their finger at the party's Pemanis assemblyperson Chong Fat Full as a possible defector.

Asked about the speculation yesterday, Chong had been non-committal, stating that he was being "neutral".

Today, Chong came out in support of Harapan but the royal interview had concluded.

Bersih, in its statement today, also urged assemblypersons who have defected to resign.

"In keeping with our call since the start of this political crisis, all Harapan assemblypersons who left the coalition to join BN and PAS in an attempt to form a new government should resign from their seats immediately as they contested the 14th general election on the Harapan ticket.

"Not doing so would be a betrayal of voters who voted for them as Harapan's candidates," it said.