Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has appointed ten deputy chairmen of State Executive Council committees to strengthen state administration and improve service delivery.
The appointments are intended to strengthen the administration’s capacity, accelerate the resolution of public issues, and ensure that development policies are implemented effectively, equitably, and inclusively across all districts.
Onn Hafiz stated that the move was consistent with various strategic initiatives being implemented to keep Johor on track to become a developed state by 2030 under the ‘Maju Johor 2030’ framework and the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP).
“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 during a special press conference at Kota Iskandar on 22nd July 2026.
The proposed appointments have also been approved by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, to serve on key state committees, he added.
Onn Hafiz described the appointments as a significant responsibility and a matter of trust, stating that the deputy committee chairmen were expected to help strengthen government service delivery, expedite the resolution of people-related issues, and ensure that state initiatives were effectively implemented.
He emphasised that each deputy committee chairman must collaborate closely with the respective committee chairman, as well as relevant departments and agencies, to monitor project implementation, coordinate field operations, and ensure that government initiatives reach the ground level.
Congratulating those appointed, he expressed confidence that the strengthened leadership team would help Johor’s people achieve their goals through a spirit of collaboration across the state administration.
The ten Deputy Committee Chairmen are:
- Zaidi Japar (Rengit assemblyman): Housing and Local Government
- Nadhirah Afiqah Abdull Rahim (Serom): Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives
- Anuar Abd Manap (Pemanis): Islamic Religious Affairs
- Mohd Youzaimi Yusof (Tenggaroh): Health and Environment
- Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah (Mahkota): Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources
- Datuk Mohamad Najib Samuri (Parit Yaani): Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications
- Chan San San (Johor Jaya): Women, Family and Community Development
- Sahrihan Jani (Gambir): Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development
- Chua Jian Boon (Layang-Layang): Unity, Heritage and Culture
- V. Rugendran (Kahang): Education and Information
The appointment of a deputy chairman for the Johor Education and Information Committee will improve teamwork and help to distribute tasks more effectively to the public.
Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, chairman of the State Education and Information Committee, stated that the move will allow agencies and initiatives under his portfolio to be managed more systematically and collaboratively.
“Having a deputy allows us to delegate tasks and collaborate more effectively. This allows us to engage and listen to more people, which improves our delivery,” he said.
He spoke to reporters after delivering his mandate at the Johor Education and Information Committee Chairman’s Aspiration Ceremony with department and agency heads at the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) Office in Menara Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), Kota Iskandar, Malaysia.
Also in attendance was V. Rugendran, the newly appointed deputy chairman of the State Education and Information Committee.
