Pakatan Harapan was on the brink of launching a countercoup in Johor last month, revealed state PKR deputy chief Jimmy Puah.
However, the plan did not materialise due to Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's warning that he would dissolve the state assembly to pave the way for a fresh election if there is another power struggle.
Puah, who is also the Bukit Batu assemblyperson, spoke on what transpired in Johor when there was intense speculation that Harapan possessed the numbers to recapture the state during a Chinese-language Facebook live session last night.
According to him, several Bersatu assemblypersons were prepared to return to Harapan following their previous decision to switch sides, which led to Perikatan Nasional forming the state government.
"Majority of them are rational, just like (Simpang Renggam MP) Maszlee Malik.
"They understand that they might not have the chance to contest the same seat in the next general election if they continued with PN.
"Their political future was the main consideration (to return to Harapan). They knew it would be better for them to be with us," he added.
Puah said some (state) "leaders" met with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is Bersatu's disputed chairperson, and Harapan national leaders in Kuala Lumpur.
“They wanted the green light from Mahathir so that they can combine with us (Harapan),” he added.
As the countercoup was about to be set in motion, Puah said Bersatu leaders requested Mahathir to seek an audience with Sultan Ibrahim.
"They did not want the change (of government) to happen without the (consent) of the ruler, that is why they asked Mahathir to seek an audience with the sultan first," he added.
However, two days after Bersatu leaders petitioned Mahathir to obtain the ruler's blessings, the sultan threatened to dissolve the state assembly.
"Basically, Johor (Harapan) had agreed to the countercoup but it was halted during the final step," said Puah, adding that he does not know if Mahathir had approached the palace.
The PKR leader does not believe this is the end of the road, stating that changes at the federal level could affect the state as well.
"If there are positive changes at the national level, then we (in Johor) can follow the steps (to change) as well," he added, in reference to Harapan and its allies claiming to have the numbers to retake Putrajaya.
Puah said Bersatu assemblypersons remained open to discussions and were waiting for developments at the national level.
Following the sultan's warning, Johor Harapan said it would respect his wishes while Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad called for political leaders to end their squabbling and work together to develop the state. - Mkini
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