Live broadcasts of state assembly proceedings in pipeline, says Johor speaker

ISKANDAR PUTRI: The Johor government has plans to provide live broadcasts of its State Legislative Assembly proceedings to the people of the state
Its newly appointed Speaker, Suhaizan Kayat said the state government was looking into the possibility of broadcasting live, mainly to encourage and provide an opportunity for Johorians to take an interest in the affairs of the state.
However, the medium of broadcasting of the proceedings had yet to be determined, he told reporters after the first sitting of the Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail at Kota Iskandar, today.
The event also saw Suhaizan being sworn in as the Speaker. Fifty-six assemblymen were also sworn in before Suhaizan, who is also Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) organising secretary.
He said state assembly proceedings were important as it provided the check and balance to the executive in Johor.
However, from his observations, the people of Johor had little interest in state matters.
By keeping abreast of issues that arise at the assembly, they would be able to come together in contributing ideas which could bring about progress to the state, added Suhaizan.
The swearing-in ceremony earlier was both nostalgic and interesting as it witnessed the return of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as a state assemblyman, after 23 years.
Muhyiddin, who won the Gambir state and Pagoh parliamentary seats in the 14th General Election, described it as a special and historic moment.
"In the past, I was with the Barisan Nasional (BN) government and now I represent the Pakatan Harapan government," he said.
Muhyiddin, who is Home Minister, is also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, and was Johor mentri besar from 1986 to 1995.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub, who is Simpang Jeram assemblyman and Pulai MP, said holding both positions would facilitate coordination between federal and state governments. — Bernama