Buloh Kasap rep Zahari Sarip sworn in as Johor state assembly Speaker

ISkandar Puteri, August 27— Datuk Zahari Sarip, the 59-year-old assemblyman from Buloh Kasap, has been sworn in as the new Speaker of the Johor state assembly. The Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, proposed Zahari during the Johor state assembly session today. This proposal received backing from Bukit Permai assemblyman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.

Zahari assumes the role of Speaker, succeeding Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who held the position since the last Johor state election in 2022. Mohd Puad, who is in conflict with the Johor Umno leadership, had announced his departure from the party on June 25.

Zahari expressed his gratitude for the trust bestowed upon him by the Menteri Besar. He stated that he intends to fulfill his duties with utmost responsibility and commitment. Representing the Barisan Nasional (BN) party, Zahari successfully defended his Buloh Kasap state seat in the recent Johor state election. He secured 14,054 votes, surpassing his opponent, Rozy Razit from Pakatan Harapan (PH), who received 5,454 votes.

In the July 11 state election, BN maintained its majority in Johor, winning a super-majority of 48 out of 56 state seats.