JOHOR BARU, April 13 — Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has consented to Datuk Osman Sapian resignation as mentri besar, state secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani said today.

The sultan’s consent paves the way for a new mentri besar to be appointed to succeed Osman by tomorrow.

"Upon the appointment of His Majesty, the Sultan of Johor has also consented to appoint a new menteri besar and a ceremony for the handing over of the Letter of Declaration of the Appointment of the Johor Mentri Besar will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at 9.30am at the Balai Mengadap of the Istana Bukit Serene,” Azmi said in a statement.

Earlier today, Osman had an audience with Sultan Ibrahim in Istana Pasir Pelangi at 9am.

It is learnt that Bukit Kepong assemblyman Dr Sahruddin Jamal, who is also from Osman’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), is tipped to be the next Johor mentri besar.

Dr Sahruddin, who is a medical doctor, is also the state’s Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman.

Apart from him, fellow PPBM member and Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Mazlan Bujang is also said to be in the running. He currently helms the state’s Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation portfolio.

Earlier this morning, Osman had an audience with Sultan Ibrahim in Istana Pasir Pelangi at 9am.

During the 50-minute meeting, he submitted his resignation letter as mentri besar and informed Sultan Ibrahim about his intention, as well as reasons for doing so.