JOHOR BAHRU: The legitimacy of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government in Johor will only be determined at the State Legislative Assembly sitting scheduled on Thursday (Aug 12), said Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

He described the state assembly sitting on Aug 12, as a suitable platform to discuss any matter arising, with the presence of 56 state assemblymen.

"Similar to my previous statement, we will continue to uphold democracy in Johor but we also know that the Constitution of the state government, and the laws in this state, are the basis of any of our decisions and actions.

"Hence, looking at the current development, the Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) will determine his legitimacy in Parliament as instructed and consented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"All MPs are already mandated to make decisions, so I don't want to touch on the MPs' stance and so on, but as the head of the (state) government, I feel that these arising issues, can we discuss them in the state assembly to determine the legitimacy of the state government," he told reporters after visiting the private vaccination programme at KPJ Abdul Samad, today.

Therefore, Hasni, who is also the Johor UMNO Liaison Committee chairman, said that there was no need for Johor UMNO or Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) to make any decision at this time on issues arising, including support for the Prime Minister.

"I think it (assembly sitting) is an appropriate platform for us to make a decision related to the issues arising ... so, the matter mentioned (in a statement issued by Johor Bersatu), for now, there is no need for state UMNO or BN to make any decision.

"As for the support for the PM, we will (explain) all that at the assembly sitting. I myself will take a stand on the matter," said Hasni, who is also the Benut assemblyman.

Thus far, Hasni has confirmed the attendance of Muhyiddin, who is also the Gambir assemblyman, to the state assembly sitting.

Hasni said this when asked to comment on the statement by Johor Bersatu secretary, Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, yesterday, who wanted Johor UMNO to take a stand on the issue of support for the Prime Minister and the PN government.

Johor is now led by PN Johor, with a slim majority of 29 seats compared with 27 seats in the opposition bloc.

The state government is led by Johor UMNO with 14 seats, Bersatu with 12 seats, MIC (two) and PAS (one) while the opposition comprises DAP with 14 seats, Parti Amanah Negara (nine) and PKR (four).

-- BERNAMA