THE Johor palace will not accept Osman Sapian’s resignation as menteri besar until Pakatan Harapan names three candidates to replace him, said a source.

“His royal highness the sultan of Johor will only accept Osman Sapian’s resignation on the condition that it is accompanied by the names of three candidates for the role of Johor menteri besar,” said the source.

“The sultan of Johor is believed will only consider three names from among the current Johor executive councillors to ensure that the transition will be orderly and organised, while the candidate who is chosen must have experience in the executive council,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The source also said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement earlier today that only the government had the power to appoint a menteri besar could be seen as dismissive to the powers of the state’s ruler.

Apart from Dr Shahruddin Jamal from Bersatu, two other names that have been floated as possible replacements for Osman are Aminolhuda Hassan from Amanah and PKR’s Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar.

The source also denied rumours that Osman’s appointment as menteri besar last year was on the recommendation of the sultan, saying that the decision was made based on the list of candidates submitted by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

“After Pakatan Harapan won in Johor on May 9, 2018, Muhyiddin was believed to have submitted Osman Sapian’s name as a menteri besar candidate to the sultan of Johor, along with several other names.

“Osman Sapian was counted as one of Muhyiddin’s strong supporters and was the No. 2 of Bersatu in Johor at that time.

“Because Muhyiddin was expected to hold a federal minister’s portfolio then, there would have been no other more suitable candidate from Bersatu to be the Johor menteri besar at that time.

“Hence, the sultan of Johor appointed Osman Sapian as the Johor menteri besar,” said the source.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir announced that Osman had resigned from as menteri besar but declined to elaborate on the reasons.

The Kempas assemblyman submitted his resignation letter to the prime minister on Monday. – April 10, 2019.