Puad: Johor Umno grassroots moving on from MB controversy

Puad: Johor Umno grassroots moving on from MB controversy


Umno divisions and grassroots in Johor have accepted and are moving forward from the controversy surrounding the appointment of Onn Hafiz Ghazi as the new menteri besar, according to Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

“I think it is no longer an issue because Onn Hafiz has sworn in as the menteri besar while his predecessor Hasni Mohammad took a stance in abiding the (latest) decision,” he said.

“The issue does not arise among the division heads in Johor as we accepted the decision despite some having (different) views because it was initially decided that Hasni would be named as the menteri besar candidate.

“For us, we are moving forward so the issue does not prolong so we can focus on our pledge to the people that resulted in our victory in the state polls,” he said.

He believed the grassroot and the divisions had calmed down and accepted the decision on the appointment.

“It does not prolong as how it happened in Perlis before,” he told Malaysiakini and KiniTV when met at the World Trade Centre (WTC) today.

“The council initially proposed Hasni, but perhaps a discussion took place and was consented by the Johor ruler, and perhaps, as a party which is loyal to the ruler, then we accept what is being proposed and consented by the state ruler,” he said.

He was asked to elaborate the “higher power” which preferred Onn Hafiz as the new menteri besar.

Puad also confirmed that 38 out of 40 BN assemblypersons in Johor had submitted statutory declarations (SDs) supporting Hasni as the sole candidate for menteri besar.

“This happened before the polling day. For me, it’s normal,” he said.

It was reported that Umno grassroots appeared to be pushing back after a “higher power” was said to have disrupted Johor party chief Hasni Mohammad’s return as menteri besar.

Reports have emerged that 38 out of 40 BN assemblypersons in Johor submitted statutory declarations (SDs) supporting Hasni as the sole candidate for menteri besar.

The SDs were submitted by Zahid to the Johor palace on March 14.

Sources said the “higher power” was in favour of Onn Hafiz to be menteri besar instead.