Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly said that the issue of Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian's position should not be raised.

According to Berita Harian, Muhyiddin explained that this was in order to stabilise the state’s politics, especially in efforts to solidify Pakatan Harapan’s position in Johor.

He was responding to reporters who had asked him to comment on an alleged attempt to lobby for Osman to be replaced with a current state executive councillor.

“From my point of view, the menteri besar has carried out his duties well, just as how menteri besar in other states are facing many challenges, as they are newcomers and need to study many issues.

“To ensure state politics is stable, the position of menteri besar should not be brought up. Furthermore, we have rules and regulations. If needed, we can raise issues through party channels such as conventions. This is one of the ways.

“We practice open democracy, but if there are efforts to ‘do this and that’ (buat itu ini), it will do no good, not only for the individual but for Johor state. So we have to accept it, for me, Osman has done his best up until now,” the Gambir assemblyperson reportedly said.

Muhyiddin was speaking at a press conference after officiating the Johor Bersatu convention in Kulai today. Osman (photo) was present alongside Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin, who is also home minister, said Osman had met him several times to seek advice and discuss matters.

“There is one or two things I have discussed with him (Osman). He came to see me and the prime minister to seek guidance. I think this is quite good,” he said, adding that people should continue to support the Harapan-led Johor government.

Yesterday, Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Iskandar had revealed that the palace was aware of an alleged effort to lobby for one of the state excos to replace Osman.

“You are not even the prime minister. What makes you think by trying to lobby having a menteri besar who will be your puppet, you can control Johor?

“You lobbying for one of our exco to be menteri besar. We know that. This is not 1992 anymore my friend. Negeri Johor masih ada Sultan yang memerintah (Johor still has a ruling sultan),” he said in a Twitter post.

He did not name anyone in his tweet.