[BREAKING] Osman Sapian Steps Down As Johor MB
He tendered his resignation yesterday evening after a meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
By Samantha Khor — 09 Apr 2019, 06:54 PM
Osman Sapian has resigned as Menteri Besar of Johor, effective yesterday, 8 April
According to Bernama, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad confirmed in a press conference today, 9 April, that the Kempas MP tendered his resignation yesterday evening.
Osman, who is also chairman of Bersatu, was sworn in as the first non-UMNO Menteri Besar of Johor on 12 May 2018.
Bernama reported that Tun Dr. Mahathir has revealed that four candidates have been shortlisted to replace Osman as the next Johor MB
Speculation involving Osman's resignation has been circling over the past few days, amidst criticism surrounding his management of Johor's affairs
Quoting a source close to the state government and Johor Bersatu, New Straits Times reported that Pakatan Harapan leaders were unhappy with how Osman had managed the state as well as the controversy surrounding his academic qualifications.
Besides being criticised for the way he handled the toxic waste spill at Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Osman also found himself in a diplomatic dispute after boarding a vessel that Singapore claimed had strayed into their waters.
Meanwhile, in a series of tweets earlier today, the Johor Crown Prince alleged that Osman's ousting had already been decreed by the Sultan of Johor months ago
"The decree to replace the Menteri Besar is an old one. However, somebody else is taking the credit and mileage, claiming that he ordered it," Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim tweeted.
"Don't forget, the power to select a Menteri Besar is the Sultan's absolute prerogative. Enough with the politicking."
The Crown Prince, commonly referred to as Tunku Mahkota Johor or TMJ, later tweeted that he hopes the new MB will not be a "yes man of Putrajaya".