Perikatan Nasional deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today said the coalition’s newest component, Parti Wawasan Negara, has not been allocated any seats to contest in the upcoming 16th Johor state election.
When met in Parliament, the PAS deputy president said that ongoing negotiations for 56 seats in the Johor assembly involve only his party, Bersatu, Gerakan, and MIPP.
“(They are) not (contesting) under PN. This is because we have only just accepted their membership.
“As of our discussion yesterday, it involved only four parties, not including them (Wawasan Negara),” the Kubang Kerian MP told Malaysiakini.
Tuan Ibrahim (above) said he does not expect Wawasan Negara to field candidates in the Johor polls as the party has yet to be firmly established.
“There is the process of Parti Cinta Malaysia changing to Wawasan Negara, and there is also the ROS (Registrar of Societies) process,” he said in reference to the formation of the party led by Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin.
“I don’t know if they (Wawasan Negara) want to contest under their own logo; that is up to them.
“But under PN, as of yesterday, it only involved four parties,” Tuan Ibrahim further said.
Malaysiakini has contacted Wawasan Negara’s Saifuddin Abdullah for a response.
Rebranding to proceed
In a separate statement, Hamzah today confirmed that PCM’s Special Delegates Meeting on Saturday had unanimously agreed to rebrand the party as Wawasan Negara.
“I wish to record my appreciation to the PN supreme council for the trust shown in accepting Wawasan Negara as a member party of PN,” said the parliamentary opposition leader.
Hamzah said Wawasan Negara’s participation would add value to PN’s existing strength, particularly in championing an agenda for change based on competence, integrity and stability.
Tuan Ibrahim also revealed that despite PAS having broken ranks with Bersatu, the party led by Muhyiddin Yassin is still involved in seat negotiations for the Johor polls.
“Yesterday, we (PN) asked for a committee to be formed with two representatives from each party to decide which seats they will contest,” he said, and when quizzed further added, “including Bersatu”.
Pressed further on whether Bersatu will contest under the PN banner in Johor, Tuan Ibrahim said, “Yes. The logo and other matters will be discussed later.”
“That has not been decided yet; the committee will decide,” he added.
Partners no more
PAS formally ended its political cooperation with Bersatu on June 8.
On June 17, Muhyiddin declared that Bersatu will remain as a PN component party and will field candidates under the PN logo in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls slated for July 11 and Aug 1, respectively.
Questions have arisen about Bersatu using the PN logo in both state polls after breaking ranks with PAS, as only the coalition chairperson, PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, has the authority to sign the official nomination letter (watikah) for PN-endorsed candidates.
Last night, Muhyiddin, who attended a PN supreme council meeting at the PAS headquarters, reaffirmed that Bersatu’s position remains status quo.
Ahead of nomination day on June 27, Johor PAS had previously hinted at a possible pact with Umno and several other parties to avoid multi-cornered contests in the upcoming state election.
Unifying the people
Contacted for comments on recent developments, Johor PAS commissioner Mahfodz Mohamed said today that the party remains open to working with any party to unify the ummah (people), including Umno and BN.
While Tuan Ibrahim said seat negotiations are ongoing, Mahfodz today claimed the process has concluded.
“Alhamdulillah, seat distributions are settled. Tomorrow there will be an announcement Insya-Allah,” he told Malaysiakini.
Quizzed on discussions with Umno to avoid clashing candidates, Mahfodz said, “Wait for tomorrow, the candidates will be announced.”
So far, BN and Harapan are expected to face off in all 56 state seats, with the latter the first to reveal its candidates list last night. - Mkini
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