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Johor sultan expresses confidence in MB Khaled
Published:  Apr 14, 2016 12:15 PM
Updated: 6:49 AM

The Johor sultan has given his vote of confidence to Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin amid speculation of a move to oust Khaled.

"I still believe in the present menteri besar and I have confidence in the existing state leadership.

"I hope no one in the state legislative assembly will act like an enemy in the midst and threaten the political stability of Johor," Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar said when officiating at the state assembly sitting today.

This comes after the Johor speaker's son, Shukor Mohamad, claimed there is a move to replace Khaled with a Johor-born deputy federal minister.

The speculated move to remove Khaled is linked to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's attempt to curb dissent.

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, who is son to anti-Najib ex-Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was replaced with Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah after a state Umno coup in Feburary.

Mukhriz and suspended Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, a Johor Umno stalwart, have held various talks in Johor criticising the Najib administration.

On a separate matter, the sultan said Johor, too, was not immune to radicalisation among Muslims.

"This is why I instructed that all speakers who want to preach here must gain approval from the Johor Islamic Council.

"This is so we can eradicate extremists and stop them from causing chaos among Muslims and Johoreans," he said.

He added that he would defend the rights of all.

"In Johor, it doesn't matter what race you are – be it Malay, Chinese or Indian – you are all my people," he said.

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