Muhyiddin and Bersatu in Johor: a question of honour

 

It is very likely that a three-way contest will take place at the coming Johor state elections: a triangular fight is shaping up very nicely between Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional.

It looks like a repeat of what happened in Melaka in November.

By the way, did anyone see if Muhyiddin Yassin did indeed “press the button”, as he said he would in his Melaka campaign, to trigger the Johor state elections?

If so, then it doesn’t make sense for him not to contest for re-election in Gambir. Or could it be that he was not in possession of the button after all?

Anyway, back to Gambir, the state seat in which Muhyiddin was elected in 2018. A three-cornered fight there would be a mouth-watering contest especially for PH and BN. Many observers are probably wondering if Muda will also throw their hat into the ring.

Early analysis appears to suggest that Muhyiddin’s PN coalition, which is led by Bersatu and supported by PAS and Gerakan, will be on the losing side once again, very much like in Melaka.

Perhaps, this could be why he is not contesting in Gambir. But isn’t Johor supposed to be his home base?

Voters rejection

Voters’ potential rejection of Bersatu clearly stemmed from the ‘Sheraton Move’, said to have been led by Muhyiddin. He was the hidden hand that caused the collapse of the PH government in February 2020.

Obviously, he was also the biggest beneficiary from that PH downfall, in the form of getting the PM’s chair for some 18 months from that date.

Johor voters have not forgotten that sinister episode. Many observers suggest that they, too, have not forgiven those responsible and their leaders.

And yet Muhyiddin is now asking, “Where’s your honour” (FMT, Jan 27) in an apparent swipe at Bersatu’s former Johor leader, Mazlan Bujang, who decided to abandon his party at the eleventh hour.

Shouldn’t Johor voters be asking Muhyiddin the same question, after he orchestrated the move to abandon Dr Mahathir Mohamed and the PH coalition government in February 2020?

After what he did to his PH colleagues and his former Bersatu chairman, many voters are probably saying that Muhyiddin is simply not the right person to talk about honour and sincerity to the party. It’s akin to a pot calling the kettle black.

Many Johor voters, recalling Muhyiddin’s conduct, will now have the chance to reject PN outright. It could come as a form of punishment for someone who now talks about that kind of honour.

It can also be deduced that voters will also reject PAS, Bersatu’s so-called “partner in political crime” who caused PH’s downfall in 2020.

PN (meaning Bersatu and PAS — Gerakan is merely tagging along) stands a good chance of being buried in Johor, says an ex-member who wishes to remain anonymous.

Poor showing for PAS

In the 2018 general election, PAS fielded candidates in 20 parliamentary and 41 state seats in Johor. It lost in all 20 parliamentary seats, with 19 candidates losing their deposits.

At the state level, 40 of its 41 candidates lost, with 36 of them losing their deposits. Their sole elected representative in Johor was Najib Lep, who won in Bukit Pasir.

Can PAS, within PN, perform better than their past track record suggests?

Johor voters are known to loathe PAS and their deceitful political manoeuvring. The current prediction is very similar to Melaka results, zero seat for PAS.

Several observers believe that many of Bersatu’s local leaders — including their president, Muhyiddin — are feeling the heat in Johor and have therefore decided to stay away before they get burnt. But not contesting at all will set a bad precedent.

Expect a relatively poor homecoming reception for many of Bersatu’s Putrajaya-based leaders when they go campaigning in Johor. The stage has not been set for them at all.

Another factor is the serious internal squabbles inside both Bersatu and PAS. They don’t inspire confidence among Johoreans.

Muhyiddin’s spat with Mazlan Bujang is probably the tip of the iceberg. There must be many other hidden issues that will surface when campaigning goes into full gear.

Similarly, the squabbles in PAS are likely to become more offensive or peak once the election results are announced.

The brave prediction for the moment is that PN will fight for their honour, regardless – but will their president be brave enough to honour the contest? - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.