JOHOR BARU: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad confirms that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Iskandar has consented to an audience at 5pm on Saturday (Jan 22).

       He said before the audience with His Majesty, he would be meeting with his state executive councillors at Kota Iskandar.

       “I will meet the press later at 6pm to make an announcement. At the moment, I have received the mandate from Johor Umno to proceed with the state election,” he said after chairing a one-and-a-half-hour meeting at the Johor Umno headquarters.

       The Star earlier reported that the Johor state assembly was expected to be officially dissolved on Saturday evening to pave the way for a state election here.

       The Umno-led government has a simple majority with 28 seats against Pakatan Harapan’s 27, while one seat was left vacant after the passing of former mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian, who was Kempas assemblyman, on Dec 21.

       Currently, the state government consists of Umno (14), MIC (two), PAS (one) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (11) while the Opposition comprises DAP (14), Amanah (six) and PKR (seven).