Osman Sapian


Osman bin Sapian is a Malaysian politician and the sixteenth Menteri Besar of Johor. He is a member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly for the state constituency of Kempas. Osman is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party or Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, a component of Perikatan Nasional ruling coalition.
Prior to joining BERSATU at its inception in 2016, he was a United Malays National Organisation member and even a state assemblymen too for three terms from 1999 to 2013 before he was dropped as Barisan Nasional candidate in the 2013 general election.
In the 2018 general election he contested and managed to win the Kempas seat back again but as a BERSATU member under the PH candidate and was appointed as the new Johor Menteri Besar then. In April 2019, Osman resigned as Johor Menteri Besar after 11 months holding the position.

Controversy

Education Credentials

Osman Sapian courted controversy when his academic qualification listed on the government portal included a bachelor's degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Upon investigation, it was found that he did not graduate from the university and had dropped out. Osman later clarified that it was a mistake and that he had never claimed to have graduated. His distorted academic credentials on all state government websites was taken down later.

Malaysia-Singapore disputed waters boat ride and visit

In January 2019, as the Johor Menteri Besar, Osman made a boat ride to visit a Malaysian Marine Department vessel that was anchored in a Malaysia-Singapore disputed waters which had raised protest from Singapore. In response to his visit, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said in a ministerial statement in Parliament that both sides must act in “good faith” to overcome bilateral issues.

Batam visit amid Kim Kim River toxic crisis

Osman had visited Batam Island, Riau, Indonesia in March 2019 amid the toxic pollution crisis of Kim Kim River, Pasir Gudang, Johor. He explained that it was working visit that was preplanned for the preparations of the Visit Johor 2020 year and had been shortened from 3 days to 1 day trip. Somehow Osman had been blamed for neglecting the urgent matter at home as a state government chief.

Resignation as Chief Minister of Johor

On 8 April 2019, Osman tendered his resignation as Menteri Besar of Johor. The Johor Sultan officially accepted Osman's resignation on 13 April 2019. The Menteri Besar role, also known as the Chief Minister, is the highest political position in the State of Johor. The position is traditionally nominated by the Prime Minister of Malaysia who commands the majority of state legislators. The nominee is then approved and officially appointed by the Sultan of Johor.
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, was known to be unhappy with Osman Sapian following several decisions that he had made against the federal government's direction.
His resignation came amidst a public disagreement between the Royal family of Johor and Tun Dr Mahathir, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Election results

Honours

Honours of Malaysia