In fact, he reiterated it was he who selected all 10 state executive councillors to carry out the aspirations of the PH government for the benefit of the people of Johor
Sahruddin stressed that it was a team that he was comfortable working with and believed its members would carry out their responsibilities well in serving the people.
“Actually, for us to fight for the people, there are no teams. Just the exco team around me. These 10 councillors are in the team that I am comfortable working with.
“The purpose (of them being selected) is for us to look after the people of Johor, so there is no Team A or Team B,” he said in a special interview at his office in Kota Iskandar here today.
“With the new team and with the cooperation of all civil servants in the state, it is important to ensure that the people of Johor would be safe and enjoy a good economy, thus making their standard of living better,” said Sahruddin, who is also Bukit Kepong assemblyman.
He said this when asked about allegations that some of the new excos came under “Team Muhyiddin”, which also raised questions of interference from the palace.
Sahruddin, appointed Johor’s 17th menteri besar on April 14, announced the state’s new exco lineup on Monday.
He has dropped two old exco members and appointed three new faces.
He also replaced Osman Sapian, who resigned as menteri besar on April 8.
The two former exco members who were dropped were Skudai assemblyman Tan Hong Pin and Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Mazlan Bujang.
The three new excos are Bukit Permai assemblyman Tosrin Jarvanthi, Tenang assemblyman Mohd Solihan Badri and Jementah assemblyman Tan Chen Choon.
Asked on how he would play a role in balancing the relationship between the federal government and the Johor palace, Sahruddin said he hoped the good ties that he has had so far would harmonise the relationship.
“First of all, I honour and obey the Sultan Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, and will carry out my duties with full responsibility, honesty, sincerity and trust.
“I will not prioritise self-interest or politics for the well-being of the people and the prosperity of Johor’s economy,” he said.
Sahruddin added it was based on the concerns of Sultan Ibrahim that the close ties between the palace and the people were established.
“Actually, there should be checks and balances. There needs to be a balance between the federal government and the palace. Insya Allah (God willing), I will try to resolve all issues,” he said.