Mazlan Bujang, who was dropped as a Johor state executive councillor, has been appointed as the new state chief, replacing Osman Sapian who resigned as menteri besar last month.

The move is seen as a departure from the norm, where the menteri besar is also the state chief.

“It also sends the message that new Menteri Besar Sahruddin Jamal will not automatically have all the power in the state despite his being in the good books of the palace,” Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Kamarul Zaman Yusoff told FMT.

But Kamarul said appointing a non-MB to head the ruling party will ensure check and balance in the state administration.

A high-ranking PPBM official went a step further, saying the check and balance would also extend to palace interference in the administration and policy matters.

Kamarul said Mazlan’s appointment is significant as it sends a message to PPBM grassroots ahead of party polls this year.

“This could also be an attempt by the top leadership to prepare PPBM for another round of more serious clashes with the palace in the future,” he added, referring to the recent war of words between Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and Mahathir.

“Ultimately, it is Tun’s way of telling all those concerned that he really means business this time and that he is not someone people can mess with.”

It was reported that Mahathir was upset with the new Johor MB’s decision to reshuffle the exco line-up, going against a party decision to keep the 11-month-old state cabinet intact.

The reshuffle is seen as acceding to a demand from the Johor palace, which has repeatedly insisted it had a say in the state government’s line-up.

A PPBM Supreme Council, meeting on the same day the new exco members were sworn-in, saw party’s leaders expressing solidarity with Mahathir.