Opposition now known as ‘pengimbang’, instead of ‘pembangkang’, in Johor state assembly

ISKANDAR PUTERI, March 20 — The term ‘pihak pengimbang’ (balancing force) is now used to refer to the Opposition in the Johor state legislative assembly, following the wishes of State Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Johor state legislative assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi said that Sultan Ibrahim’s decree had created history in the August house.

“Just as YB Machap (Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi) used the term ‘pengimbang’, we will also use the same term because it is appropriate, pleasant, accurate and capable of creating a dependable state assembly,” said Mohd Puad at the Johor state legislative assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar here today.

Last Thursday during the opening of the state legislative assembly, Sultan Ibrahim said the term ‘pihak pembangkang’ is seen as unsuitable to describe assemblymen who are not in the ruling party,

The state monarch suggested that they be termed as ‘pihak pengimbang’ instead, as the Opposition acts as a check and balance to the government.

In the Johor state election in March last year, the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition won a super majority when it secured 40 out of 56 state seats.

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition only managed to secure 12 seats, with the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) winning one seat. The Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, on the other hand, secured three seats.

At present, the PH coalition, which also includes Muda, is supportive of the BN-led state government in line with the federal-level unity government.