Bersatu Kempas assemblyperson Osman Sapian has been sworn in as Johor’s 16th menteri besar.

He was sworn in before Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in Istana Bukit Serene at 3pm, according to the ruler’s official Facebook page.

The Facebook post stated: “His Majesty reminded the new menteri besar to serve the rakyat with commitment and dedication, adding that he would speak up where necessary for the benefit of the rakyat.” 

Osman is Johor Harapan and Bersatu secretary. When in Umno, he held the Kempas seat from 1999 until he was dropped for the 2013 polls.

In a press conference in Johor Bahru later, the newly minted menteri besar said he needed to submit the list of state executive council members to the ruler before May 15.

“Tomorrow is a replacement holiday. I will enter office by Monday. 

“The most important thing is to select the 10 executive councillors (excos), speaker and deputy speaker,” he said.

When asked, Osman neither confirmed nor denied that the exco positions would be assigned according to the proportion of seats won by each Harapan party.

“I will discuss with the chiefs of Harapan component parties,” he said.

In the 56-seat Johor assembly, Harapan had obtained 36 seats in Wednesday’s polls, with DAP winning 14, Amanah 9, Bersatu 8 and PKR 5.

With the defections of three Umno assemblyperson to Bersatu, Harapan now has 39 state seats – and Bersatu 11 – while BN’s seats are reduced to just 16.

Osman said he had thought of some names for the exco list last night.

“I have my own list before I submit (the actual list) to His Majesty. The final decision lies with him,” he added.

He stressed that negotiations for exco positions had yet to be completed, and there could still be some changes made.

He added that the first thing to do after taking office was to implement a free water supply and the Johor Harapan manifesto.

PKR and DAP reps absent

Apart from Osman, other Harapan politicians who were present at the press conference included Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan, Bersatu's Tenang assemblyperson Mohd Solihan Badri and Permas assemblyperson Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh.

There was no PKR or DAP representative present.

Osman claimed Johor DAP secretary Gan Peck Cheng was on the way to the press conference.

“Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong is busy with important matters regaring federal cabinet position. Even Johor Harapan chief Muhyiddin Yassin did not come.”

Nevertheless, neither Gan nor any PKR representative had arrived by the time the press conference ended.