JOHOR BARU, May 16 — Ten members of the Johor state executive council took their oath of office before the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at the Istana Besar Johor Baru here today.
The Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and the royal family were also present during the ceremony.
Also present was Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian.
The appointment of the mentri besar and state executive councillors took place at the Bilik Singgahsana in the Istana Besar Johor Baru at 10.30am.
Last Saturday, Osman was sworn-in as the 16th Johor menteri besar before Sultan Ibrahim at the Balai Mengadap in Istana Bukit Serene.
Today’s ceremony began with a prayer recitation by state mufti Datuk Mohd Tahrir Kiyai Samsudin.
The 10 state executive councilors who were sworn-in were Aminolhuda Hassan (Parit Yaani), Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kota Iskandar), Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (Bukit Batu), Dr S Ramakrishnan (Bekok), Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar (Semerah), Dr Sahruddin Jamal (Bukit Kepong), Mazlan Bujang (Puteri Wangsa), Sheikh Omar Ali (Paloh), Tan Hong Pin (Skudai) and Liow Cai Tung (Johor Jaya).
In the list, Osman will lead the 10-member executive council and will helm the natural resources, administration, finance, planning and Johor economic development committees.
The other portfolios are: Aminolhuda (Islamic affairs and education), Dzulkefly (housing and rural development), Tan (local government, science and technology), Dr Ramakrishnan (consumerism, human capital and unity), Mazlan (public works, infrastructure and transport), Jimmy Puah (investment and utilities), Liow (women development and tourism), Mohd Khuzzan (youth, sports and culture), Dr Sahruddin (health, environment and agrculture) and Sheikh Omar (entrepreneur development, cooperatives and creative economy).
In his speech, Sultan Ibrahim reminded the state’s newly elected leaders to carry out their responsibilities with honesty and sincerity in the interest of the people.
He said the promises made in the last election should be fulfilled, in addition to ensuring a transparent administration.
“The state government must act in accordance with the procedures, rules and laws,” said Sultan Ibrahim.
The Johor ruler said he will look into every action and decision that the state government makes, as well as advise, reprimand and view the interests of the people and the state.
“I will not allow any party to betray my state and people or try to destroy the unity, prosperity and prosperity of the Bangsa Johor,” he said.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition formed the Johor government for the first time after they won 36 out of the state’s 56 seats in the recent 14th general election (GE14).
DAP took the biggest chunk by winning 14 state seats in Johor, followed by Amanah (nine), PPBM (eight) and PKR (five).
Umno, representing the sole Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, only secured 19 seats in a historic defeat that saw MCA and MIC decimated in the state seats stake. PAS only won one seat.
Both BN and PAS will be the new Opposition bloc in the state legislative assembly once it convenes.
