Johor MB left out of state PPBM lineup

Johor PPBM chief Mazlan Bujang today announced the state chapter’s new lineup, of which does not include Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal.

Mazlan said that Sahruddin rejected the offer to retain his post as the state party’s secretary on the ground that he wanted to focus on administering Johor, Bernama reported.

Ledang PPBM division chief Mohd Solihan Badri will succeed Sahruddin as secretary.

“But we will invite him (Sahruddin) to meetings we hold,” said Mazlan, who begins his stint as the party’s Johor chief today, Bernama reported.

Other appointments include Larkin assemblyman Mohd Izhar Ahmad as treasurer, while Pulai division chief Ya’cob Atan was named information chief.

Senator Nasir Hashim retains his post as the deputy chief.

Sahruddin was appointed menteri besar in April after a round of verbal exchanges between federal leaders and the Johor palace. He succeeded Osman Sapian after he resigned as menteri besar.

Weeks later Osman stepped down as state party leader.

Mazlan’s appointment as Johor PPBM chief was not without its controversy, with news that the majority of division chiefs met to press for Sahruddin to be head of Johor PPBM instead of Mazlan.

During the days of Barisan Nasional administration, the menteri besar or chief minister was usually appointed as the state party leader.

Today, Mazlan thanked party chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and president Muhyiddin Yassin for appointing him as the chairman.

“I promise to try my best to strengthen the party here,” the Puteri Wangsa assemblyman was reported as saying.