JOHOR POLLS | A Johor Bersatu leader today lambasted its former state chief Mazlan Bujang over the allegation that Mazlan has now joined Sabah-based party Warisan, which is making a debut in the southern peninsular state.
Solihan Badri (above), who is Johor Bersatu information chief, claimed that Mazlan is being an opportunist by allegedly bringing Warisan into the state.
"Bersatu regards Mazlan's action in bringing in the Sabah-based party, which claims that it is providing service to the people of Johor, as showing his self-serving character that he is willing to do anything as long as Warisan provides 'sizable' funding.
"Thus, I call for Bangsa Johor not to be duped by Warisan's offer through Mazlan and his group, because their mission and objectives do not fit with the needs and aspirations of Bangsa Johor," Solihan said in a statement.
Mazlan, who is the incumbent Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson, had on Jan 27 announced his resignation from Bersatu and pledged support for Johor Umno's Hasni Mohammad.
He was appointed Johor Bersatu chief in 2019, but he vacated the position 17 months later. The post was then taken over by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.
On Feb 16, Warisan launched its Johor chapter and confirmed that it is making its electoral debut in the forthcoming Johor state assembly election. During the launch event, one of the slides erroneously displayed Mazlan as Warisan's new Johor chief.
On this, Solihan also criticised Mazlan's decision to join Warisan instead of Umno, after having expressed his support for Hasni who is the incumbent Johor menteri besar.
"Bersatu wants to highlight that Mazlan's involvement with Warisan proves that he no longer gets the attention or place among leaders of major political parties, despite having openly stated his support for the BN state government led by Hasni.
"The question now is why he did not join Umno, and how can he state his change of stance to Hasni when he no longer supports the menteri besar in the state election?
"We do not know how far is the sincerity of an individual like Mazlan to Johor's interests, that he is willing to offer a Sabah party to Johoreans," Solihan said.
Mazlan: I have not joined Warisan
Meanwhile, Mazlan when contacted by Malaysiakini, said he has not joined Warisan.
According to the politician, he is still considering it and has yet to make a decision.
"Not yet... I don't know whether I will join. Still considering it," he said.
Mazlan also fired back at Solihan and Bersatu, saying that it was Solihan and Muhyiddin who did not have principles.
"He is the one who does not have principles.
"Tell him that Mazlan says the one who does not have any principle is his party president (Muhyiddin), who betrayed the people's mandate," he said, referring to the 2020 political coup by Bersatu that led to the fall of Pakatan Harapan federal government.
About his statement supporting Hasni's leadership, Mazlan claimed that it was made in the context of Hasni as the menteri besar, which makes the latter his boss in the state executive council.
"My menteri besar is Hasni, and as a state exco member, I supported Umno. They do not understand this.
"Even Solihan is a state exco member. So, as his boss is the menteri besar, he should support the menteri besar," he said.
Mazlan added that even if he were to contest in the state election, he would still be friendly with Umno and that he was not out to pick fights with individuals. - Mkini
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