Annuar defends 'court cluster' after Hadi blames them for Johor polls

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was not right in alleging that the Johor snap polls were engineered by the "court cluster” and those who lost in the 14th general election (GE14), said Ketereh Umno division chief Annuar Musa.

The communications and multimedia minister said the upcoming state election was in the interest of the people and incumbent menteri besar Hasni Mohammad decided to dissolve the state legislative assembly after consulting various parties and obtaining the consent of the Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

"To me, it's just (Hadi's) opinion, not fact. Maybe the opinion was based on information sources that are not authentic.

"The election is not due to the court cluster. It was called because the menteri besar felt that Johor should not be in a situation which can stifle its development and government duties because the state has high potential,” Annuar told reporters after being interviewed by Johor FM at Johor RTM today.

He said this when asked to comment on Hadi's remark on the Johor polls.

Also present were Bernama chief executive officer Mokhtar Hussain and Broadcasting director-general Roslan Che Daud.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

The phrase court cluster refers to high-profile leaders who are facing court cases.

Respect Johor's decision

Annuar said Johor was in an unusual situation where the state government enjoyed just a slim majority in the state assembly.

The Ketereh MP urged all political leaders to avoid making statements that could hurt the feelings of others and to respect Johor's decision to hold the election.

In principle, all quarters should continue cooperating for the sake of the people, he said, just like how the government of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob needs the continued support of PAS, Bersatu and opposition parties.

“Because at the national level we have a heavy responsibility to fulfil. It is a suitable formula that we will continue to support in the federal government. In the states, it's a different matter.

"So, let Johor make its call based on the people's interests. We at the federal level will continue to help,” he added.

Yesterday, Hadi reportedly said that it was not a good idea to hold the Johor election at this time and that it was a strategy inspired by the court cluster and those who lost in GE14. 

- Bernama