JOHOR POLLS | Perikatan Nasional Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden has floated the idea of a potential collaboration between the coalition and BN in Johor if the latter fails to win sufficient seats to form a government following the state election.
Despite recent calls for voters to back BN over Pakatan Harapan in seats where PN is not contesting, Afnan, who is also the PAS Youth chief, said BN linchpin Umno needs to face some hardship in order to evolve for the better.
Implying that the lack of progress in Umno has caused it to slacken in its role as the defender of Malay voters, Afnan said the only way to “change” Umno would be to not let it win “many seats” at the Johor polls.
“Only then will (Umno) feel self-aware, (and) at that time, they will start to change,” Afnan said during a ceramah in Simpang Jeram, Muar last night.
“During the Johor election, if Allah wills it, maybe Umno might not get enough seats - maybe Umno will have to choose PN, choose PAS to form the state government together.
“It would be better for Umno to choose us over Harapan, but if they want to choose Harapan, silakan (go for it),” he added.
The hypothetical scenarios put forth by Afnan, if realised, could contradict caretaker Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s previous stance pledging that BN will not form a coalition government with other parties if it is again given the mandate to govern the state.
To achieve a simple majority and form a government in the 56-seat Johor legislative assembly, a party or coalition would have to secure a minimum of 29 seats.
Federal government allies Harapan and BN will be contesting against each other in all 56 seats, while Bersatu and PAS are fielding 16 and 11 candidates respectively.
‘Don’t let Harapan win’
Speaking to reporters after the event last night, Afnan added that voters displeased or disappointed with BN should cast their votes for PN - not Harapan.
Affirming that PN supporters should still vote for Bersatu’s candidates in 45 seats not contested by PAS, Afnan said the goal is to “not let Harapan win” - despite tense relations between the two PN component parties having led to separate campaign works.
“Between Bersatu and Harapan, Harapan is worse. Bersatu is okay, even though (PAS) has ended our political cooperation with them.
“There are limits to our politics too - don’t let the enemy win,” the Alot Setar MP added.
Earlier in his speech, he asserted that the directive conveyed by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is in line with PAS’ founding principles on prioritising Islam, stressing that PAS should not be blamed for wanting to uphold the religion.
“In seats where PN is not contesting and there is a BN candidate, just don’t vote for Harapan - simple. In seats where we are contesting, vote for PAS.
“Islam can be stronger if there is unity, (which) begins among the same race - what is wrong with us, as the same race, wanting to unite to make Islam victorious?” he pressed.
Johor voters will head to the polls on July 11, with early voting on July 7. - Mkini
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