KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian has resigned from his position, effective yesterday.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed this at a press conference in Parliament today.
“The Johor MB has resigned yesterday by giving me his resignation letter and will give a letter to the Sultan of Johor (Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar) soon.
“Since Sultan Ibrahim is outstation currently, I will pass the resignation letter to him.”
Immediately after announcing this, Dr Mahathir had everyone in stitches when he said in jest: “As of now, he has sent his resignation letter to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Mahathir.”
Dr Mahathir did not divulge the reason behind Osman’s resignation.
“We are not going to say why he has stepped down, but he has...there is a reason given and we accept it,” he said.
He said as of now there were three to four candidates shortlisted for the new Menteri Besar post.
“For now, Johor does not have a Menteri Besar and we might select an acting Menteri Besar for the time being.
“However, according to the Pakatan Harapan agreement, the Menteri Besar for Johor must be from Bersatu,” he said.
The announcement by Dr Mahathir confirms speculation that the Kempas assemblyman would announce his resignation this week.