JOHOR Umno Youth has accused DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming of applying double standards in his criticism of Johor’s move to introduce appointed state assemblymen, saying similar practices already exist in other states involving Pakatan Harapan (PH) representatives.
Its chief, Noor Azleen Ambros, said Nga’s objections to the constitutional amendment in Johor appeared selective, arguing that the same principle was not being consistently applied nationwide.
The controversy follows the Johor state assembly’s approval of amendments to the state constitution on May 7, allowing the appointment of up to five nominated assemblymen and increasing the number of seats in the legislative assembly from 56 to 61.
Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who tabled the amendment during the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar, said the proposal involved changes to Article 15 of the Second Part of the Law of the Constitution of 1895.
Nga had criticised the move, calling it undemocratic and claiming it went against the spirit of the Federal Constitution, which he said requires elected representatives to be chosen directly by the people.
Speaking after officiating the national-level World Firefighters Day celebration in Johor Baru, the Housing and Local Government Minister described the appointment mechanism as a “backdoor” route into the state assembly.
He also said PH would launch a signature campaign targeting Johor residents in protest against the amendment, framing the issue as a matter of defending parliamentary democracy.
According to Nga, appointed assemblymen who are not elected by voters should not wield the same powers as elected representatives, including participating in debates and voting on state legislation.
In response, Noor Azleen challenged Nga to push for the resignation of appointed assemblymen linked to PH in other states if he genuinely opposed the concept.
He named several figures, including Mohd Fadzly Mohd Ramly of Amanah and Rizal Jamin of PKR in Pahang, as well as Grace Lee Li Mei of PKR in Sabah.
“If the principle being championed is truly based on justice and transparency, then it cannot shift depending on the state or political interests involved,” he said in a statement.
Johor is set to become the fourth state in Malaysia to introduce appointed assemblymen after Sabah, Terengganu and Pahang. – May 9, 2026
