Despite snubbing from PAS, Muhyiddin says Bersatu willing to help former

 

Bersatu accepts PAS’ decision not to assist its campaign in the Johor election with an open heart, said party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

However, Muhyiddin stressed that Bersatu would not do the same to PAS, adding that his party is willing to assist the Islamist party if the need arises.

“If they need our support, we will help,” he told reporters after accompanying Perikatan Nasional’s Bukit Kepong candidate, Sahruddin Jamal, at the Pagoh Sports Complex today.

For now, Muhyiddin said Bersatu would work hard using the strength of its existing election machinery.

“It’s alright, I didn’t ask anyone to help us. Whoever wants to help can help. Although, in principle, within PN, there should be mutual assistance.

“But if our friends don’t want to help, we accept it. So far, we have been working hard, relying on our strength, the policies and practices we have upheld.

“I’m confident voters will know how to make their decision,” the former prime minister added.

Yesterday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party’s machinery would not be mobilised to assist Bersatu candidates’ campaigns, and would instead focus only on the 11 seats contested by the Islamist party.

Abdul Hadi Awang

Hadi also said the two parties would use separate campaign machinery and different campaign strategies despite contesting under the same PN logo, and reiterated PAS’ decision to end cooperation with Bersatu.

This is despite Bersatu not only remaining as a PN component but also contesting more seats in Johor - with 16 candidates as opposed to PAS’ 11.

‘More than enough seats’

In a related development, Muhyiddin also rejected an Umno leader’s claim that PN had no intention of forming the Johor state government because the coalition is only contesting 33 state seats.

This comes after Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros questioned PN’s resolve in forming the next state government following the opposition coalition's decision to contest only 33 of the state’s 56 legislative seats.

Noor Azleen Ambros

Muhyiddin pointed out that the number of seats contested by PN exceeds half of the 56 seats in the state assembly, which is sufficient to form a government with a simple majority.

“We’ve already surpassed half of what is needed to form the government.

“Besides, there are also allies who are willing to enter an electoral pact with us… so if you take that into account, it’s more than half. So, you cannot underestimate us,” Muhyiddin said.

To form the next Johor government with a simple majority, a party or coalition needs to win a minimum of 29 seats.

Asked about Bersatu’s position should the election result in a hung state assembly, with no party securing a simple majority, Muhyiddin declined to comment.

However, he indicated that forming a government through a new coalition would be a normal occurrence in today’s political landscape should such a situation arise.

Earlier, Sahruddin, who has held the Bukit Kepong seat since 2018, submitted his nomination papers to defend the constituency in the state election.

The former Johor menteri besar is set to face a three-cornered contest against BN candidate Ahmad Syarie Yusof and Pakatan Harapan’s C Subramani. - Mkini