TMJ Defends 'Muafakat Johor' Slogan After New Johor MB Said The Tagline Would Be Replaced

In a post published on the Johor Southern TIger official Facebook page, Tunku Ismail, said that "concord is a blessing" while adding that the tagline is "a slogan that has been used since the inception of Johor in 1885".

According to Sinar Harian, the brief statement was not directed at anyone in particular. However, it drew the attention of netizens who have linked it to a recent statement by newly minted Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian.

It was reported that the 67-year-old Kempas assemblyman said the 'Johor Muafakat' tagline, which was used by Barisan Nasional as a campaign slogan for the 14th General Election (GE14), will no longer be used but the new state government would use 'Harapan Johor' to follow the new leadership and way of leadership of the state administration.

"'Muafakat Johor' will be changed to 'Harapan Johor' and 'Team Johor' will also not be used, while the new administration is known as Pakatan Harapan Johor," Osman was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

"We will retain the concept of 'Bangsa Johor’ as we are indeed Johoreans who were born here," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

The Star Online reported Osman as saying that term was not created by Barisan Nasional or UMNO and was for all Johoreans.

Osman reportedly said this in a press conference after he received the letter of appointment and took the oath of office in a ceremony before Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (PPBM) Johor secretary sworn in as Johor's 16th Menteri Besar on Saturday, 12 May, after Pakatan Harapan won 36 out of 56 state seats in GE14, allowing it to take control of the state assembly.

Osman, when contacted by Free Malaysia Today yesterday, 13 May, to comment on Tunku Ismail's statement, said he will issue a statement later.