Johor set to have new chief minister, Osman Sapian to make way for Bersatu colleague: Pakatan sources

JOHOR BARU — The southern Malaysian state of Johor is buzzing with talk of a new chief minister soon, the first reshuffle in less than a year since Pakatan Harapan (PH) took power in the economically-strategic state and also at the federal level last May 9.

Incumbent chief minister Osman Sapian will make way for a colleague from Bersatu, which together with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Amanah and Democratic Action Party (DAP) form PH. 

The likely candidate for the top job is Bukit Kepong state assemblyman Sahruddin Jamal.

The Malaysian Insight learnt that the matter had been discussed with the Johor palace when prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad met the Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim, last January and is now an urgent issue.

Read also

Johor chief minister Osman Sapian admits he does not have UPM degree

Malaysian MP defends Johor Chief Minister’s visit to the Malaysian-Singapore maritime border

We told Johor chief minister not to visit JB port: M’sian Foreign Ministry

The new chief minister is to be named pending the conclusion of negotiations with the Johor palace, multiple sources at the federal and state level said.

It is learnt Sultan Ibrahim is currently overseas and will only return by the end of next week.

Mr Osman could not be reached for comment.

Earlier in February, Mr Osman had admitted that he does not have a degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), apologising to Malaysians for the “confusion and misunderstanding” over his qualifications.

Social media had then been abuzz with claims that Mr Osman’s accounting degree from UPM in fact did not exist, with the allegations coming to light after someone purportedly conducted online checks with the university.

Two senior officials at the PH national leadership have confirmed to The Malaysian Insight that the process to name a new chief minister had begun weeks ago and the transition could occur as early as the end of next week.

“But it all depends on when we can get the nod from the Sultan,” said one official who requested anonymity.

Another national PH official said any change to the chief minister’s position will be discussed among Bersatu leaders first before it is brought to PH’s other component party members.

“More importantly it will be discussed with the Johor palace first before any decisions are made.”

Another source said other PH parties are jostling to put forward their own candidates.

“This is expected because whenever there is a vacancy, other parties will try to jump in to set their own agenda,” said a source from Johor PH.

According to a decision by the PH presidential council early last year, the four parties had agreed that the menteri besar’s post will go to Bersatu.

This decision was made before the 14th general election last May and was part of the coalition’s post-election plan if Johor were to fall to PH.

National level PH sources said that thus far, DAP and Amanah are sticking to the convention and are supporting a candidate from Bersatu.

Bersatu now has 11 seats in the 56-seat Johor legislative assembly. It won eight seats in GE14 and picked up three more from United Malays National Organisation (Umno) defectors Rasman Ithnain of Sedili, Rosleli Jahari (Johor Lama) and Alwiyah Talib (Endau).

DAP has 14 seats, Amanah, nine and PKR, five. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT