JOHOR BARU: Newly minted Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has appealed to all Johoreans regardless of race, religion and background to work with him to develop the state.
Johor’s 19th Mentri Besar also urged everyone to unite in heart, mind and energy.
“I will also like to ask for prayers from all so that all the steps that we will take together after this will receive the blessings of Allah. May we achieve all goals targeted for the benefit of this state and its people.
“I believe that something will only happen with Allah’s permission and will.
“Therefore, I accept this mandate with determination to carry out the trust and responsibilities given to me with all the energy, strength and ability that I have,” Onn Hafiz said in his first message after being sworn in as Mentri Besar by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar at Istana Bukit Serene here yesterday.
Onn Hafiz, who posted his message on his Facebook page, also gave the assurance that all promises made by Barisan Nasional to Bangsa Johor would be fulfilled as best as possible.
The Machap assemblyman also thanked the Johor Ruler for consenting and appointing him as the Mentri Besar.
“I truly feel humbled and lowly by the trust and confidence given.
“I will bear this huge responsibility with all my heart and dedication, and spare no effort to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the state and its people.
“I would also like to thank Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim for all his guidance and advice given to me,” he said.
Work with me: Onn Hafiz waving to the camera after visiting his forefathers’ graves at Mahmoodiah royal mausoleum in Johor Baru.
Onn Hafiz also thanked all Umno leaders and the Barisan Nasional machinery for their support.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, for the sacrifices, commitment, assistance and leadership in stabilising Johor.
He said that the sacrifice made by Hasni to give space to a younger person to lead the state not only shows how great Hasni was as a statesman but proves he believes in the roles and abilities of young people to lead Johor.
“I will always seek advice from him as he is more experienced than I am.
“Hopefully, the combination of experience along with the energy and idealism of young people will further develop and strengthen this state in its bid to be respected and go further,” he said.
Onn Hafiz was sworn in as Johor Mentri Besar at about 3pm.
He received the instrument of appointment and took the oath of office during a ceremony at Balai Menghadap inside Istana Bukit Serene.
Onn Hafiz, a second term assemblyman, was previously the state tourism, youth and sports committee chairman under Hasni’s administration.
He is the great-grandson of Umno’s founding father, Datuk Onn Jaafar and the grandson of Malaysia’s third prime minister, Tun Hussein Onn.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Onn Hafiz and his family visited the graves of his forefathers including Onn and Datuk Jaafar Muhammad, who was the first Johor mentri besar, at the Mahmoodiah royal mausoleum here.
Controversy with regard to the appointment of Mentri Besar began when, despite Barisan’s thumping victory in the polls on Saturday, Hasni had not been not sworn in.
Talk had been rife that Hasni was to be replaced following a top level meeting between Umno leaders and the Johor Ruler on Monday.
Barisan assemblymen had then gathered 38 statutory declarations in support of Hasni so that he could continue as Mentri Besar.
In the recently concluded Johor election, Barisan Nasional recorded a two-thirds majority after winning 40 seats in the 56-state assembly.
Meanwhile, Hasni in a brief message on his Facebook account, congratulated Onn Hafiz on his appointment as the 19th Mentri Besar.
He reiterated his call that no political ideology, politician or political party could be bigger and more important than Johor.
“Now is the time for us to work together to build a better Johor.
“God willing, with a new leadership, the state that we all love will continue to be better and prosperous,” he added.