Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced on July 22 the appointment of 10 deputy chairmen of the state executive council committees to enhance state administration and improve public service delivery [1, 2]. The appointments aim to boost administrative capacity, accelerate resolution of public issues, and ensure development policies are implemented effectively and inclusively across all districts [1, 2, 3].
The appointments received approval from the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, to serve on key state committees [1, 2, 3]. Each deputy chairman will collaborate closely with their respective committee chairman and relevant agencies to monitor projects, coordinate field operations, and ensure initiatives reach grassroots communities [1, 2, 3].
Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi described the appointments as a significant responsibility built on trust. He said the state government is committed to strengthening service delivery and expediting resolutions for issues affecting the people [1, 2, 3]. "As the state’s development agenda gathers pace and becomes increasingly challenging, the state government sees the need to strengthen its administrative capacity to ensure that every policy, project and programme is implemented more effectively," he said [1]. He also added, "Each Deputy Exco needs to work closely with the Exco, relevant departments and agencies to ensure that every government initiative can be implemented effectively and the benefits reach the grassroots level" [3].
The move aligns with the Maju Johor 2030 framework and the Johor Economic Transformation Plan to help Johor achieve developed state status by 2030 [1, 2, 3]. The state election held on July 11 resulted in Barisan Nasional (BN) winning 48 of 56 State Legislative Assembly seats, enabling them to form the state government [3]. Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi was sworn in as Menteri Besar on July 12, followed by the swearing-in of 10 executive councillors on July 18 [3].
The named deputy chairmen include Zaidi Japar (Housing and Local Government), Nadhirah Afiqah Abdull Rahim (Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives), Anuar Abd Manap (Islamic Religious Affairs), Mohd Youzaimi Yusof (Health and Environment), Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah (Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources), Datuk Mohamad Najib Samuri (Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications), Chan San San (Women, Family and Community Development), among others [1, 2].
Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi pledged that the state government will translate all manifesto promises into concrete actions and results felt by the people of Johor [3].
