KUALA LUMPUR – Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik has expressed his disappointment with the Johor Menteri Besar’s office for not allowing him to participate in an online meeting of all the state’s elected officials this morning.
In a statement, the former education minister said he was following the directive issued by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar that all MPs and assemblymen from Johor are to meet to discuss the Covid-19 outbreak in the state.
“As Simpang Renggam’s MP (P151), I was determined to join the meeting that is managed by the Johor Menteri Besar’s office.
“According to the plan, all MPs and state assemblymen were to join the meeting online today at 10am,” he said, attaching the invite on his Twitter page.
Maszlee added that he opted to attend the meeting that was being held at the Kluang district office virtually instead of physically due to several urgent commitments that he needed to attend to.
“I was granted permission to do so and given a link to attend (the meeting) on May 27 (today), 10am.”
However, after trying to access the link at 9.45am, Maszlee said he was made to wait for the approval from the Johor Menteri Besar’s office, who were the meeting’s organisers, to enter the virtual meeting room.
“I waited until 10.15am and was rejected from entering the meeting. I tried to join the waiting room again, and was rejected once again.”
He then contacted the Kluang chief assistant district officer Herman Raban for clarification and proceeded to contact the Johor Menteri Besar’s office.
“I would like to thank Kluang’s District Office for their help in trying to simplify the predicament I faced this morning.
“Herman informed me that the MB’s office would not let me join the meeting because the MB has given his speech.
“This is weird and unreasonable. I joined the link at around 9.45am, the meeting was scheduled to start at 10am. Did the MB give a speech earlier?” Maszlee questioned.
He said the situation should not have occurred as it reflects the disorder of the meeting’s secretariat.
This should not have happened, and it reflects the disorder of the meeting’s secretariat. As member of Parliament that is representing the people under my constituency, my attendance in this meeting is important to bring the voices of the people whom I am representing.
— Maszlee Malik ?? (@maszlee) May 27, 2021
“As an MP that is representing the people under my constituency, my attendance in this meeting is important to bring the voices of the people whom I am representing.
“I have also been entrusted by my colleagues from Johor Pakatan Harapan to bring up issues regarding education that is deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Education issues in Johor, Maszlee said, seem to have been abandoned and not given enough attention by the state government since the pandemic began.
“This issue needs urgent attention and discussion especially in an important meeting like this.
“The secretariat’s act of preventing me from joining the meeting disrupts the process of democracy because it denies the right of an MP that is representing the people from voicing out the plight of the people.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank His Royal Highness (the) Sultan (of) Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar who has decreed for this meeting to take place.
“Unfortunately, the actions of the meeting’s secretariat is deeply regrettable and should not have happened.”
The Vibes is trying to seek the Johor Menteri Besar’s office for a response to Maszlee’s statement. – The Vibes, May 27, 2021
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