Johor Barisan Nasional still has a strong government and possesses a comfortable majority in the state legislative assembly, its Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin said today.

Khaled, who is also Johor BN chief, said a two-thirds majority is needed to amend the state constitution, but the Johor government does not intend to amend the constitution.

He said some state governments may have less than two-thirds majorities, but these governments continued to run without any problems.

“Parliament also has lost its two-thirds majority, but it is not the end of the world. The statement made by the Parti Amanah Negara chairperson is wrong. Hence, how can he lead a government if he does not understand?

“The state government is not weak as we still have a big majority, a comfortable majority and not mere numbers. What is important is we focus on and continue with our job effectively,” Khaled is quoted as saying by Berita Harian Online.

He said this to reporters in Pasir Gudang today.

Commenting further on the appointment of Jorak assemblyperson Shahruddin Salleh (photo) as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's secretary-general, Khaled said this meant that Shahruddin is now with the opposition.

“According to the Umno constitution, Shahruddin automatically loses his membership. However, I need to verify this with the Umno headquarters.

“We in Johor, the state government and BN Johor, treat this as a reality in politics that one has to face, based on the present circumstances. It does not mean that the state or the ruling government are weak with him (Shahruddin) being appointed as secretary-general (of Bersatu) and leaving Umno,” Khaled said.

Amanah chairperson Aminolhuda Hassan said in a statement today that for the first time, Umno's stronghold of Johor is governed without a two-thirds majority.

"The composition of assemblypersons in the Johor state assembly has now changed following the statement from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday that Shahruddin has been appointed Bersatu's secretary-general," Aminolhuda said in a statement.