Source claims PN under threat in Johor, Bersatu reps may withdraw support

A source close to the Johor Bersatu leadership conceded that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state government is in a precarious position.

The source said PN could lose its hold on the state if Bersatu assemblypersons withdrew their support for the nascent political alliance.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source was commenting on Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub's statement that PN might be ousted in the state, which it captured from Pakatan Harapan after several assemblypersons switched camps.

"I agree with Salahuddin because PN controls Johor with a razor-thin majority of two seats in the state legislative assembly,” he told Malaysiakini.

Asked on the chances of Bersatu representatives reverting their support to Harapan, he replied: “If not them, who else from this side (PN)?”

The source, who declined to name the lawmakers who could return to Harapan, noted how Bersatu and Umno were at odds over certain issues in the state.

"We were unhappy when with Harapan. We are also unhappy when we are with PN. Nobody is perfect, but we want our rights (to be protected).

"We talked about our rights and they (Umno) talked about theirs. So we are not happy with each other," he added.

Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad

Among the issues, the source said Johor Bersatu was not pleased with losing the menteri besar post to Umno after PN took over the state.

Should Bersatu assemblypersons return to Harapan, he said, the party wished to regain the menteri besar post.

Meanwhile, a Harapan source said several Bersatu assemblypersons had approached the coalition's leaders since last month expressing interest in switching their support.

Refusing to name them, the source said these individuals outlined certain conditions in exchange for their support.

"More than half of the Bersatu state assemblypersons were in touch (with Harapan). They contacted us via telephone or met us in person.

“Of course, (their support) comes with conditions," he told Malaysiakini.

PN has 29 seats in the 56-member state legislative assembly, with Umno 14, followed by Bersatu (11), MIC (two), PAS (one) and one independent in support of the coalition.

Harapan, on the other hand, has 27 seats. DAP controls 14, Amanah holds nine and PKR has four.

Last Saturday, Salahuddin implied that Harapan could wrest back control of Putrajaya in the next Parliament sitting slated for July and the momentum could start from Johor.

Yesterday, Johor Pakatan Harapan chief Aminolhuda Hassan (above) said he expected state lawmakers who supported Bersatu founder Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is embroiled in a tussle with party president Muhyiddin Yassin, to swing their support to Harapan.

Last week, Johor Bersatu deputy president Md Nasir Hashim announced that 10 out of the 26 divisions in the state supported the party's decision to nullify Mahathir and his allies' membership.

However, Johor exco member Mazlan Bujang, whom Mahathir appointed as the state Bersatu chief, was not present at the press conference.

Commenting on this, the Bersatu source claimed that Md Nasir had merely aired his personal views during the press conference. - Mkini