ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 7 — Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi today tabled a Bill to amend the state constitution to allow the appointment of five unelected state assemblymen.
The Bill, which had earlier drawn mixed views over claims that it was ambiguous, was tabled during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here.
Onn Hafiz said the amendment would increase the number of Johor assemblymen from 56 to 61, adding that the five additional assemblymen would require the consent of the Ruler before being appointed.
“These assemblymen are not appointed to complement the existing composition of assemblymen in Johor.
“The appointed assemblymen must have the consent of the Ruler,” he said.
It is understood that the appointed state assemblymen can take part in debates and have voting rights, but are not eligible to be elected as menteri besar or state executive council members.
It is still unclear if the appointed representatives would draw a similar salary and allowance structure as regular serving assemblymen.
Earlier this week, several Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and Muda politicians questioned the proposed Bill to amend the state constitution to allow for the appointment of unelected assemblymen.
They questioned the need for the five assemblymen and added that the proposed Bill lacked clarity and posed a challenge to the established democratic process.