JOHOR Menteri Besar Osman Sapian appears to have backtracked on his earlier refusal to provide allocations to opposition assemblymen in the state, saying it was not a final decision.

“I did not say it was a final decision,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini after clocking in on his first day of work today.

“Not to say that we will not give allocations. They are (for the benefit) of the rakyat, right? I’m also thinking of giving allocations for officers and aides,” Osman said, adding that his administration will be a “fair one”.

Osman was criticised for his first remarks after being sworn in as menteri besar where he said there was no point giving development allocations from the state to Barisan Nasional assemblymen. He said to do so would be akin to “giving your opponent bullets”.

He also cited state budget constraints.

Osman said he would also discuss with the rest of his exco, once appointed, on according the state opposition leader the same recognition as an exco member in the state assembly. – May 14, 2018.