Malaysian Member of Parliament (MP) Hassan Abdul Karim, who is part of the ruling coalition, has come out in support of Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian -- by slamming the ruling coalition in Malaysia.

Hassan slammed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership for remaining silent over Singapore's accusation that Osman's visit to Pedoman was an act of provocation, according to Malay Mail.

The People's Justice Party (PKR) member was the first PH member who has defended Osman publicly.

Hassan: PH leaders left Osman to "defend himself"

The 68-year-old Pasir Gudang MP said the leaders had left Osman to "defend himself in the face of wild allegations from Singapore, while it was him that undertook his duty to defend the sovereignty of the region for state and nation".

Hassan: Singapore "bullied" Osman

According to The New Straits Times, Hassan said in a statement:

"Singapore bullied the Johor MB and made him a scapegoat as well as a punching bag, with the leaders in Putrajaya ignoring the issue...

The impotence on display by the Federal and state leaders, leaving the Menteri Besar to be attacked, is regrettable.

As a Malaysian member of parliament and as the chairman of the state PKR, I have a right to voice this matter and demand an answer from the government."

Hassan added he will raise the matter officially in Parliament when it resumes its session in March.

He took to Facebook to voice his support for Osman too, saying that the latter had a responsibility as Johor Chief Minister to oversee members of the Marine Department perform their duties aboard the vessel MV Pedoman.

Hassan had recently rejected his appointment to continue his post as Johor PKR chief for a second term, saying he wanted to let others have a chance to lead, according to The Star.

The PKR is the largest party that forms the PH coalition that won the Malaysia election in May last year.

What happened previously

Following Osman's visit to the buoy-laying vessel parked in Singapore territorial waters, Singapore postponed the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) meeting with Malaysia that was originally scheduled for Jan. 14. 

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Jan. 13 his "unauthorised" visit went against the "spirit of an agreement by both countries to resolve bilateral issues in a calm and constructive manner".

A post on Osman's Facebook page later said Singapore was simply using the visit as an excuse to postpone the meeting.

Top image via Hassan Abdul Karim's Facebook page

 

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