ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 7 — The Johor state legislative assembly today passed a Bill to amend the state constitution’s enactment, paving the way for the appointment of up to five unelected assemblymen.

The Bill to amend Part Two, Clause 15 of the Johor State Constitution 1985 was passed after it secured more than two-thirds support in the legislative assembly.

A total of 40 assemblymen voted in favour, while 16 opposed the amendment.

Johor assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi announced that the appointment was based on provisions under the state constitution enactment amendment.

This aims to expand the composition of the Johor state assembly by appointing unelected assemblymen, after similar appointments were made in Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, when tabling the Bill, said the amendment to include appointed assemblymen is intended to broaden the role of the state assembly by bringing in individuals with specialised expertise and experience to contribute to policymaking.

“The proposal is not purely political, but it provides space for individuals with certain expertise and extensive experience to contribute to the state’s development.

“With that, the state government sees the need to strengthen the institution of the state assembly by having individuals with expertise and experience in certain fields to assist in the process,” he said when tabling the Bill at the Johor state legislative assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here.

Earlier this week, several Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and Muda politicians questioned the proposed Bill to amend the state constitution to allow for the appointment of unelected assemblymen.

They questioned the need for the five assemblymen and added that the proposed Bill lacked clarity and posed a challenge to the established democratic process.