Twenty-eight Johor Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons have stepped forward to challenge the "new coalition’s" claim that it controls a majority of seats in the 56-member state legislature.

“Johor Harapan wishes to emphasise that we have the support of 28 assemblypersons – nine from Amanah, 14 from DAP, and five from PKR. All are present here," said Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan at a press conference in Johor Baru tonight.

“So, the new coalition don’t have the majority to form the state government.”

He read aloud the constituencies all 28 assemblypersons who still support Harapan, which was met with cheers and applause from Harapan supporters present.

The group includes PKR’s Pemanis assemblyperson Dr Chong Fat Full, who was holding up a placard displaying the name and code for his constituency.

Chong was previously reported to have defected to the new coalition comprising Bersatu, Umno, MCA, MIC, and PAS, but now declares his support for Harapan.

After an hour-long meeting, Johor PKR chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said Johor Harapan would seek an audience with state’s ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar as soon as possible.

“We have agreed to seek an audience with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim that we have certain numbers, to relay this to him.

“It will be done as soon as possible,” said the Ledang MP.

He added that Johor Harapan has agreed to appoint Aminolhuda as the Harapan coordinator in Johor given Bersatu’s departure from the coalition.

Meanwhile, at the same press conference, Simpang Jeram assemblyperson Salahuddin Ayub explained his absence from the Johor palace when Sultan Ibrahim summoned all state assemblypersons to see him on Wednesday.

Salahuddin said he had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier that day to state his preferred candidate for the next prime minister, and could not return to Johor in time.

“I apologise to His Majesty for my absence because I needed to be at Istana Negara,” said Salahuddin, who is also Pulai MP and Amanah deputy president.

Earlier today, the Johor palace and the state’s incumbent Menteri Besar Sahruddin Jamal declared that the new coalition holds a majority of seats in the state assembly.

Out of 56 seats, the new coalition holds 27 seats compared to Harapan’s 28.

The only assemblyperson who has yet to take sides is Bersatu’s Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson Mazlan Bujang.

According to the website Johorkini, Mazlan was taking a neutral stance, pending instructions from the central party leadership.