Liew Hopes New Johor Govt Will Treat Opposition As Strategic Partner

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Johor opposition leader Liew Chin Tong said he hopes the new BN-led state government will continue to see the opposition as a strategic partner and involve them in bipartisan efforts.
While debating the royal address in the Johor assembly today, Liew said former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad had started a culture of matured politics when he saw the opposition as a strategic partner.
"This should be an example that is continued under today's state government," he said.
Liew then related his conversation with Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi in 2015 about bipartisanship.
"At the time, I was the Kluang MP, and he was the political secretary to Hishammuddin Hussein, the defence minister at the time.
"We exchanged views about the possibility of constructive bipartisan cooperation in Malaysia.
"Who would have thought that today he is the Johor menteri besar and I am the Johor opposition leader.
"Even though we are from different blocs, I hope the menteri besar will be open and committed towards strengthening bipartisan cooperation between the government and opposition for the wellbeing of Johor," he said.
Stability through bipartisan consensus
To this end, Liew said he had proposed five bipartisan select committees in the Johor assembly.
They are the good governance and integrity select committee, climate change, city and rural planning select committee, Johor-Singapore cooperation select committee, federalism and state power enhancement select committee and economic and Johor wellbeing select committee.
Liew proposed that the committees should comprise three government assemblypersons and two from the opposition.
He said that the opposition should also be allowed to lead two of the five committees.
He added that Johor should also emulate the practice of the Public Accounts Committee being led by an opposition representative, similar to Parliament.
"With a bipartisan consensus and policy agreements, there will be stability in Johor's policies, and it won't be threatened even if there is a change of leadership or ruling party in the state government.
"In other words, stability is achieved not through absolute power but through bipartisan consensus," he said.
Hasni, the previous menteri besar, had engaged the opposition and provided equal funding amid concerns about an uncertain majority.
Hasni led BN to a strong victory in the March Johor polls, winning 40 out of the 56 state seats.
However, BN could not get consent from the Johor ruler to confirm Hasni as the menteri besar for a second term, paving the way for Onn Hafiz's rise. - Mkini

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