Let Johor Amanah vent dissatisfaction, says Salahuddin Ayub

Johor Amanah should be allowed to express their frustration over seat allocations in their state, said party deputy president Salahuddin Ayub.

“Give them the chance to express their dissatisfaction because of the number of seats,” Salahuddin said to reporters at the Pakatan Harapan convention in Shah Alam today.

Johor Amanah had purportedly boycotted the convention today as they were unhappy about receiving only two out of their requested five parliamentary seats in the state.

However, Salahuddin said Amanah’s top leaders have to focus on Pakatan Harapan on a national level.

“As the national (level) leaders, we have to look at the big picture for the sake of Harapan.

“Myself and the top leaders of Amanah, we have to take all the risks and consequences,” he said.

Amanah to keep negotiating

Salahuddin also revealed that Amanah will continue negotiating for more state seats in Johor.

“What happened in Johor, I feel that the number is too small.

“The game isn’t over. We will continue (negotiating) for the state seats. I respect and appreciate what happened in Johor.

“We at the national level, we will settle,” he said.

When asked about concerns that the boycott could affect Harapan, he dismissed them, saying he does not foresee any “repercussions”.

Meanwhile, Amanah secretary-general Anuar Tahir denied that Johor Amanah had boycotted the convention, saying that they merely did not show up.

“There are rumours saying they (Johor Amanah) are not very happy, but sometimes during seat negotiations, you can’t get what you ask for,” he said.

He added that they will discuss with Johor Amanah as well as the other states about this issue and that it is a problem that can be resolved.

Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan had earlier told Malaysiakini that he felt “no need” to attend the convention as they were only given two out of the five parliamentary seats they asked for.

The dissatisfaction over seat negotiations also extended to Perak Amanah, whose chief Asmuni Awi also joined the boycott.

“I did not go because of the seat allocation.

“However, the others (from Perak Amanah) are there,” he told Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile, Bersatu president and Johor Harapan chief Muhyiddin Yassin (photo) said that Johor Amanah needs to respect the decision made by the coalition.

"This has been discussed at the highest level, the top leadership participated in the (parlimentary seat) negotiation and everyone agreed upon," he said when met at the Harapan convention.

He noted that all parties were not fully happy with many things in the negotiation.

"But, once the highest level (has) made the decision, you have to respect it," he said, adding that the dissenting Johor Amanah leaders and grassroots have to bring the matter up at the party level.

He, however, did not respond on whether Amanah received too few seats or whether other parties received too many.

Johor DAP chief Liew Ching Tong declined to comment.- Mkini