The term “pihak pengimbang” refers to the role of “check and balance” played by assemblymen who are not part of the government.

During the opening of the Johor assembly last Thursday, Sultan Ibrahim said opposition assemblymen should be called “pihak pengimbang” instead of “pihak pembangkang” because of their role.

He said the term “opposition” was inappropriate because their role was not only to just oppose everything the government did.

Speaker Puad Zarkashi said the use of the term “pihak pengimbang” was now in force, Bernama reported.

“We will use the term, which is more noble, accurate and progressive,” Puad was quoted as saying at the first meeting of the second session of the 15th Johor state assembly.

There are 16 opposition members in the Johor assembly, comprising representatives from Pakatan Harapan, Muda and Perikatan Nasional.