PMX’s appeal for PH to rule Johor one more term snubbed amid PAS’ “only vote BN-UMNO” stance

DETRACTORS have seemingly mocked Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who yesterday (June 28) sought the mandate of Johorians to give the coalition a mandate to govern the state for the next five years.

In a short Facebook post, the Prime Minister pledged that the ruling coalition at the federal level would carry out the responsibility with full commitment and would not betray the trust placed in it.

PMX’s appeal is understandable in that PAS has called on all its members and supporters to vote for UMNO or Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in state constituencies where Perikatan Nasional (PN) is not contesting in the Johor state polls.

The Islamist party’s deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has literally exposed the “secret pact” on grounds of ummah unity which existence has continuously been denied by UMNO.

“PAS instructs its members and supporters to vote for UMNO or BN candidates in state seats where PN is not contesting,” Sinar Harian cited the two-term Kubang Kerian MP and Pahang state opposition leader as saying.

“That’s what we’ve emphasised (with PAS members). Don’t vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH).”

Under PN, PAS is contesting 11 seats, Bersatu (16), the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) (five) and Pejuang (one). Both Gerakan and debutant Parti Wawasan Negara are skipping the Johor state polls.

“Avoid PH-DAP at all costs”

Johor BN which has reaffirmed its decision to go solo without any electoral cooperation or plans to form a government with any other party will contest all 56 seats. Likewise, PH has also fielded candidates in all 56 state seats.

In fact, vocal UMNO renegade Isham Jalil who is actively campaigning for PAS in the Johor state polls has earmarked all the 23 state constituencies which PN is not contesting to enable PN/PAS supporters to vote for UNNO-BN candidates.

“For all state constituencies that are not on this list, vote for PN. We vote for the following so that PH/DAP does not win and at the same time pave the way for the unification of the ummah to gain a foothold in Johor,” penned the staunch Madani critic.

“Congratulations PAS for having a big heart towards the unification of the ummah. Unite, O Muslims. Salam.”

As PH’s vulnerability has been inevitably exposed, it is little wonder that detractors who included disgruntled Madani backers, chided PMX for having “to stoop so low” to canvass for votes as can be gauged from this Sinar Harian FB post on the subject.

Even the latest Merdeka Centre findings that PMX remains the country’s most favoured political leader with a 52% approval rating, hence deserving a second term after the 16th General Election (GE16), did not escape scrutiny.

As pointed out by one commenter, “why look ahead to the next five years when the present five years alone is already so eventful. ”

“It would be a big mistake to believe the words of this PH leader,” jibed another commenter.

“Dr Maszlee Malek (purported PH’s poster boy) promised to bring back Johor workers who work in Singapore … he wants to offer a salary equal to Singapore … isn’t that a lie for it’s a bit of a stretch to make that promise?”

One commenter even recounted now Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stressing on the need “to first fulfil previous promises before sowing a new manifesto. ”

Many are in fact looking forward to PH and especially DAP for that matter to falter in the upcoming Johor state polls on July 11.

At the end of the day, the most striking comment is probably a reminder to Johorians that “after Sabah, it’s now Johor’s turn to realise efforts to make PMX an X-PM”. – June 29, 2026

- Focus Malaysia