JOHOR Pakatan Harapan (PH) has praised the Umno-led state government for its bipartisan spirit and inclusiveness in the fulfilment of demands by the opposition in the state budget for 2021.

“The opposition was not considered as enemies but as respected opponents.

“This is a historic moment for democracy in Johor. The state has shown a good example of how the legislature can be effective in putting the people’s interest first, without playing partisan politics,” said Johor PH in a statement.

The statement was signed by state Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan, Johor PKR deputy chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse and state DAP secretary Tan Hong Pin.

The three are also assemblymen for Parit Yaani, Bukit Batu and Skudai, respectively.

Johor PH’s fulfilled demands were equal allocations for all state constituencies, including opposition seats.

This was made known to Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad earlier.

In the state budget, Hasni allocated RM150,000 for all state constituencies, including for the opposition, and added a RM50,000 one-off allocation for each seat when winding up debate on the budget.

Johor PH also said Hasni had been receptive of the demand to allow the participation of opposition reps in the state assembly’s select committees, and in action committees on district development.

“Johor PH believes at this moment, as we fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the state has strengthened its democracy with the three measures for the people’s interests.

“Even the federal government headed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Gambir assemblyman, is not able to strengthen democratic institutions by being as inclusive,” the state opposition said.

The RM248.14 million state budget was passed by voice vote today in the 56-seat assembly, where Umno has 14 seats, Bersatu (12), MIC (2), PAS (1), DAP (14), Amanah (9) and PKR (4).

There was speculation earlier Bersatu would mount a challenge through a confidence motion against Hasni in retaliation for Umno’s ousting of Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu from the Perak menteri besar’s post through a similar motion in the Perak legislature on Friday.

Johor Bersatu would have needed the help of PH parties, but no such challenge materialised.

Instead, Johor PH and Hasni met to discuss the matter of equal allocations for all state reps and other issues regarding voters’ interests in opposition-held seats.

Johor PH, however, expressed its disapproval over the defeat of a motion raised in the assembly to grant exemptions on quit rent for low-cost houses to those whose incomes have been affected by the pandemic. – December 6, 2020.