Nur Jazlan: PAS looking for 'backdoor' in Johor

JOHOR POLLS | PAS' attempt to secure a meeting with Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad is an attempt to "save themselves" and ensure that they stay in government, Johor PAS deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed said.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Nur Jazlan (above) said PAS knew it was weak in Johor and was now trying to ride on Umno's coattails.

"Why should we help weak (parties)? In Malacca, they have proven (they are weak). They did not ally with us and lost everything.

"At the time, we offered them rights to field five candidates but they chose to go (with Perikatan Nasional).

"Support for PAS in Johor is akin to that in Malacca - very little," Nur Jazlan said.

He said PAS was now looking for a "backdoor" into the Johor government.

"Ostensibly they want to cooperate, but they are not sincere," he added.

Nur Jazlan was commenting on ongoing attempts by the Johor PAS leadership to seek a meeting with Hasni, a day after the latter announced that BN - a coalition which Umno leads - will not seek further alliances.

Johor PAS chief Abdullah Husin said a meeting was sought on Sunday but that was unsuccessful.

'Umno already decided to cut ties with PN'

Nur Jazlan said he does not intend to meet Johor PAS leaders because Umno's leadership and grassroots had already decided that they must cut ties with the Perikatan Nasional, of which PAS is a member.

However, he said it was Hasni's prerogative to do so.

"Regardless, anything which Hasni does must be referred to the Johor Umno leadership because our democratic system reflects the wishes of the grassroots.

"He cannot make his own decisions, unlike PAS, where (Abdul) Hadi (Awang) can decide for his members," he said.

Nur Jazlan said the Umno annual delegates assembly had already made it clear in the past that the party was not allowed to work with Bersatu. Hence the insistence of PAS for a BN-PN pact was untenable.

"(Two days ago) Hadi said he had met PN leader Muhyiddin Yassin and stated a preference for PN because they are 'honest'.

"So what's more left to discuss?" asked Nur Jazlan.

 Elections for the Johor State Legislative Assembly must be called by March 23.

There are 56 seats up for grabs. During the 2018 general election, BN lost the state for the first time by winning only 18 state assembly seats.

However, BN was thrust back into power following a string of defections from Pakatan Harapan in 2020. - Mkini