JOHOR BAHRU: Johor PKR today expressed its disappointment with Federal and state leaders whom it believed did not stand up to defend Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian who was accused of having illegally entered Singapore waters.
State PKR chairman, Hassan Abdul Karim, said he was dismayed at the silence by the Federal government, including the prime minister, foreign minister and defence minister over the issue.
He said Federal leaders had instead allowed the Singapore ministers, including its defence minister, to ‘attack’ the Johor MB.
“Singapore bullied the Johor MB and made him a scapegoat as well as a punching bag, with the leaders in Putrajaya ignoring the issue,” he said in a statement.
Hassan, who is also Pasir Gudang member of parliament, said the Johor government leaders are also muted, leaving Osman alone to defend himself against the accusations.
“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.
“I will raise this issue officially in Parliament when it resumes its session in March,” he said.
Osman, on Jan 8, had made a visit to the Marine Department’s vessel MV Pedoman. A Singapore news report said the vessel carrying Osman had encroached into Singaporean waters.
Singapore subsequently sent a diplomatic note to Malaysia to protest the visit, and labeled it a “provocative act”. As a result, the scheduled 14th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) was postponed.
Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan was later quoted as saying that the act “undermined the goodwill and trust necessary for further co-operation between the two countries”, especially in terms of working with Johor.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, in response, said he would meet Osman soon to discuss the allegations.