00:00The Johor government's move to introduce appointed members of the State Assembly will
00:04give Barca Nacional a fallback measure to strengthen its support if it falters in the
00:09next state polls, says an analyst.
00:11As Mil Taib of University Science Malaysia said, the move showed fragility in coalition
00:16politics in Johor, especially in ties between BN and Paketan Harapan.
00:21Key and independent consultant Azrul Hadi Abdul Hassani of the Asia Group said the move
00:25would benefit BN as it would have full say on who to appoint as nominated assemblymen.
00:30The Johor Assembly approved an amendment to the state constitution on Thursday to allow
00:34five nominated members, increasing the total number of state assemblymen to 61, despite
00:39opposition from DAP, PKR, and civil society groups.
00:44Azrul said the appointed assemblymen would give BN greater flexibility in managing alliances
00:48and political pressures, especially as they would be allowed to vote on bills in the legislature.
00:53However, Azrul rejected the idea that appointed assemblymen would improve governance or service
00:58delivery, saying local government elections would better empower communities because appointed
01:03assemblymen do not serve any constituency and are not accountable to the people.
01:07Don Charger Rizza, FMT.
01:10Don Charger Rizza, FMT.
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