JOHOR voters rode on the wave of change in the 14th general election, voting in a new Pakatan Harapan (PH) state government to replace Barisan Nasional (BN) for the first time.

But six months on, most of the same voters are disappointed with the performance of the new state administration headed by Menteri Besar Osman Sapian, a former Umno veteran who joined Bersatu before the polls.

Despite his many years in politics, Johor folk feel that Osman, who served three terms as Kempas assemblyman while in Umno, has done nothing new for the people.

“The new MB has not done anything since PH took over. Nothing for the people,” said entrepreneur Dollah, 45.

“No need to talk about the PH manifesto. We can see for ourselves and evaluate what Osman has done for Johor – nothing at all.”

The logistics businessman, who declined to give his full name, said there were many issues that the new state administration has failed to address, such as the appointment of village heads, or ketua kampung, statewide.

“How much longer is that going to take? People want to get endorsements, get married… everything is now difficult because there are no village heads,” sai Dollah.

After assuming power, Johor PH ended the services of all village heads appointed by the previous BN government.

However, the process of appointment for their replacements have dragged on for months.

Dollah said unless Osman is replaced, Johor voters will take their frustrations out at the next election.

“We hope Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad can replace Osman with some other Bersatu leader.

“It is not that we want to topple him but he does not qualify to be the MB,” he said.

“If Osman doesn’t change his attitude, PH will only get to rule Johor for one term. I guarantee it.”

In the GE14 campaign, Johor PH made 20 pledges in its manifesto to win the state from BN.

Among the pledges to be fulfilled within 100 days of coming into power was giving 10 cubic metres of water for free, giving licenses to small businesses, and scholarships for locals taking their first diplomas and degrees.

However, civil servant Bakar, 46, said the new government has not introduced any new policies that set it apart from the old administration.

“What new programmes have the new state government introduced? None. They just changed the BN logos in the programmes introduced by the old administration.

“So what is new? No changes at all,” said Bakar.

PH holds 39 state seats out of the total 56 in Johor. DAP as the biggest share of the seats with 14, followed by Bersatu with 11, and Amanah (9) and PKR (5).

While most Johoreans are frustrated with the slow pace of change, some are more forgiving of their new state leaders and say small changes have been implemented to help lower-income earners.

Azri Ahmadi, 30, said petty traders in his area no longer have to pay rent for their lots unlike during BN’s time.

“Traders at the night market and farmers’ market, facilities which are under the Labis district council, don’t have to pay the RM5 lot rental anymore,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Security personnel Khaled Mustapha, 39, said the people needed to give the new government time to repair the damages done by BN.

“We could hang on for 61 years under BN. Can’t we wait one or two years more? Let’s give them some time and chance.

“We know well that they can’t meet the 100-day promises. We can surely give them some time.” – November 14, 2018.