It is not appropriate for Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan to link Umno's "court cluster" to the Johor state election, said BN communication director Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
In a statement yesterday, the Lenggong MP said Wan Saiful has cast suspicion when he keeps using the word "court cluster" to refer to Umno leaders who faced criminal prosecution.
"Making the accusation that the state election is held as a way to escape imprisonment and is being held by desperate individuals who are hungry for power and afraid of being jailed is a baseless statement and he has run out of topics," he said.
Wan Saiful merely wanted to make people angry at Umno and BN following the dissolution of Johor state legislative assembly, Shamsul said.
"The fact is that the state assembly was dissolved with the consent of the Johor Sultan after the menteri besar had an audience with the ruler in accordance with the state law. Definitely, the decision was made after taking various aspects into consideration.
"Therefore, to give an impression that the state assembly was dissolved following the demand of 'court cluster' is inappropriate," he said.
Shamsul then defended incumbent Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad's decision to call for snap polls, calling it a responsible move to return the mandate to the people. They should decide on the state government they want.
More state elections
In a statement made on Jan 22, Wan Saiful predicted that Umno's "court cluster" may trigger more state elections after the dissolution of the Johor state assembly.
He said the 'court cluster' - named so for the leaders being charged for corruption - whose members were trying to bolster their positions while also distracting the public from their legal issues.
Wan Saiful said this in reference to allegations made by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin that Umno leaders had wanted him to intervene in their court cases.
The Johor state assembly was dissolved on Jan 22, paving the way for the third snap state election since 2020.
Hasni claimed the state government with a single-seat majority in the 56-seat state assembly cannot continue to function based on the "goodwill" of the opposition.
The Umno-led government has a narrow majority of 28 seats to 27 following the death of former menteri besar Osman Sapian last month.
Umno and Bersatu were partners in the state government, although they will more than likely be competing against each other in the upcoming state polls.
Shamsul said Johor Umno made the decision on state polls after obtaining the Umno Supreme Council's views and this proves the due process was taken by the party.
"He had claimed Johor politics is stable and there is no reason at all to hold elections, except for the lust of some people in Umno. This is merely his view," Shamsul said.
"The reality is the BN and PN (Perikatan Nasional) state government was very fragile after Osman passed away."
He pointed out Johor state assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat is an Amanah representative who can vote in the state assembly.
"While Wan Saiful said the state government is stable, this is not going to inspire confidence in various parties," added Shamsul. - Mkini
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