No allocation for opposition reps not final decision - Johor MB




Datuk Osman Sapian (Bernama file pix)

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 14 (Bernama) -- The new Johor state government's initial plans not to channel any development allocations to the opposition representatives, was not a final decision, said the newly-appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian.

Osman said that as a fair government, it has its own formula in distributing the allocation to ensure that everybody would benefit from the development in the state, even for those from opposition-held constituencies.

"Apart from that, I am also thinking of ways to ensure that they (the opposition) can work more efficiently. In the past, during our time (as opposition then) we didn't get any allocation, but now we will provide the allocation for their offices as well as assistants."

"Because I understand that the salary of the people's representatives is not that big, I know this because I was then an assemblyman (of opposition) myself," he told the media before he started his official duty at the Menteri Besar's Office at the Dato' Jaafar Muhammad Building, Kota Iskandar, here today.

Osman, who is also Kempas assemblyman, said this in his response to criticisms of several parties including Pakatan Harapan (PH) representatives pertaining to his earlier statement.

On Saturday, Osman said the Johor government would continue the policy of the previous state government not to channel any allocations to assemblymen from the opposition.

In fact, he also said that if the state government did channel the allocation to them, it was akin to giving ?bullets' to the enemy.

In another development, Osman said the new state government would review the budget tabled by the previous administration, to enable them to implement some of the promises offered in the PH manifesto in the 14th General Election.

The manifesto, among others, is to provide free (residential) water supply to the B40 group as well as licensing for small traders.

"As we want to implement these promises and they involve finances, so there will be some changes," he said.

Commenting on the state government's intention to change the 'Johor Muafakat' slogan to 'Harapan Johor' which received various negative reactions, Osman said he welcomed the response as he was just throwing his idea around and it was not even conclusive.

Johor would seek bigger allocation from the federal government considering the state was one of the major contributors of the country's revenues, he added.

-- BERNAMA