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Hasni: BN-PH caucus able to bring economic spillover to Johor

Malay Mail
Malay Mail

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Dec 5 — The formation of a political caucus involving Johor MPs from both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be able to bring economic spillover and prosperity to the state, said Johor BN chief Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

The Benut assemblyman said that the caucus, involving 24 Johor BN and PH federal representatives, is the best step forward to ensure that the state continues to benefit from the federal government.

Hasni, a former Johor Mentri Besar and also the newly-elected Simpang Renggam MP, said that the proposed discussions on the formation of the caucus can start once the respective MPs involved took their oath in the Dewan Rakyat on December 19.

"In general, there are many things that require special attention from the federal government such as upgrading highways, attracting investors to Johor and improving the facilities of the ferry terminal which is the gateway to the state.

"I think the matter requires a joint effort between the Federal government and the state government. Thus, with the existence of this caucus, more development can be brought to this state,” said Hasni after a debate session at the Johor state legislative assembly at the Sultan Ismail Building here.

He explained that with four Johor MPs who were appointed to the Cabinet, the proposed caucus is able to be a link between the state’s parliamentarians to raise important issues for the benefit of the southern state.

Earlier, Opposition Leader Liew Chin Tong suggested the formation of a caucus at the state level based on the understanding between BN and PH at Parliament.

The Perling assemblyman, who is also the newly-elected Iskandar Puteri MP, said that such a caucus can assist the state government through briefings and information so that all MPs are informed in detail of the needs and requests of the state government to the Federal government.

"I suggested to Datuk Seri Hasni as the Johor BN chief regarding a caucus of Johor MPs to be established with the involvement of 24 BN and PH MPs.

"This mechanism will allow Johor to be given focus and priority by the unity government at the federal level for the development and progress of the Johor and this budget," he said.

In the recent 15th general election, PH won 14 parliamentary seats in Johor followed by BN with nine. Rivals Perikatan Nasional only managed to secure two seats in the state.

Johor has a total of 26 parliamentary constituencies.