Sahruddin Jamal front runner to be next MB, say sources
Following Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian's resignation, Bersatu Johor state executive council member Sahruddin Jamal appears to be the front runner to become the next Menteri Besar.
On Sunday, speculations were rife that Osman would to tender his resignation, with Sahruddin touted to be his replacement.
At the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in Putrajaya today, Sahruddin was present alongside Mahathir, while Osman was absent.
This further fueled the speculation, as representation of Johor at the retreat is vital given that the state borders Singapore...
Following Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian's resignation, Bersatu Johor state executive council member Sahruddin Jamal appears to be the front runner to become the next state government head.
On Sunday, speculations were rife that Osman would tender his resignation, with Sahruddin touted to be his replacement.
At the 9th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in Putrajaya today, Sahruddin was present alongside Mahathir, while Osman was absent.
This further fueled the speculation, as Johor's representation at the retreat is vital given that the state borders Singapore.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that Osman, who was appointed as menteri besar following Harapan's victory in wresting the state from Barisan Nasional last year, tendered his resignation yesterday.
Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairperson, had told reporters that the next menteri besar would come from Bersatu.
'Palace expressed prefences'
A political novice, Sahruddin, 44, won the Bukit Kepong state seat in the 14th general election. His constituency is under the Pagoh parliamentary, a stronghold for Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.
According to his Facebook page, Sahruddin obtained a medical degree from Hasanuddin Universiti in Indonesia.
Malaysiakini understands from sources close to the Johor palace and state Bersatu that he has been mentioned as among the preferred candidates.
According to a source close to Istana Bukit Serene, the palace expressed preference for three exco members, namely Sahruddin, PKR's Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar and Amanah's Aminolhuda Hassan.
"The reason being is that all three of them are current exco members, and they represent the party that won the election," the source said, adding that the palace mentioned the need for someone "who has experience unlike Osman, who did not have any experience".
According to a Johor Bersatu source, other names being considered include Solihan Badri (Tenang), Mohd Izhar Ahmad (Larkin) and Mazlan Bujang (state exco member, Puteriwangsa).
These three are also first-term assemblypersons.
A list provided by another source, meanwhile, had Sahruddin, Aminolhuda, and Khuzzan's names, with the addition of Senggarang assemblyperson and state backbencher chief Khairuddin A Rahim.
"I can confirm that he (Sahruddin) is the number one choice (of the party)," said a source close to Bersatu's top leadership.
Another Johor Harapan source told Malaysiakini that Solihan is also considered a frontrunner.
"After we won Johor, Solihan was one of the names in the (potential) menteri besar list," the source said, adding that Mazlan is seen as an unfavourable candidate by the palace.
Meanwhile, according to the sources close to Johor palace, Osman had allegedly fallen out with the royalty due to complaints from the rakyat.
"He was also implicated in many controversial decisions and incidents," said a source.
"And when this happened, since the state government had been running for almost a year now, and the three exco members already have some experience, the palace is in the view that they would be okay (to be the next menteri besar)".
It is learnt that the Johor sultan is currently overseas and will be back in Malaysia on Friday to handle the situation.
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