Don’t clash with BN rivals, Anwar tells PH partners

 The Pakatan Harapan chairman says BN's decision to compete against PH had created a headache.

Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim speaking at the launch of the Johor PH machinery in Batu Pahat today. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim tonight advised component parties against clashing with Barisan Nasional at the Johor polls, as the two coalitions are partners in the federal unity government.

Anwar, who is the prime minister, said the decision by PH and BN to compete against each other in the election “created a headache for us”.

“While we clash with Umno and BN today, we will be sitting next to each other at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday,” he said when launching the Johor PH machinery in Batu Pahat.

Anwar also said that going up against BN was not his choice, as he would have preferred to contest the polls alongside their unity government partners.

He said that he would have preferred to defer state elections and focus on reviving the economy. “It was their (BN) choice to call for an election. It was their (BN) choice to create political instability.”He added: “As Mat Sabu says, ‘if you want to be friends, we will be friends. If you want a fight, we will fight’,” he said, referring to Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

Elections to the state assembly must be held within 60 days after the Johor assembly was dissolved on June 1.

In the March 2022 election, BN won 40 seats in the 56-member state assembly, PH won 12, while Perikatan Nasional secured three and Muda one.

Johor BN has announced it will contest all 56 seats, prompting Johor PH to also declare it would compete in all seats.

Anwar also said Johor has reaped many benefits from mega projects allocated to the state, citing the Maharani Freeport, the expansion of Tanjung Pelepas Port, the revival of Forest City, the creation of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Johor-Singapore RTS Link as examples.

He said it was crucial that Johor be “on the same page” with the federal government, as the state stands to benefit more from a closer working relationship, which in turn would benefits Johoreans.

“We work as a team and I believe we can change Johor. Under PH, the rakyat stand to benefit far more.” - FMT