After More State Seats Johor Amanah Now Eyes Muhyiddin S Pagoh

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As Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin moves to quell divisions within his own rank, political rivals have set their eyes on capturing the Pagoh parliamentary seat, which he’s been holding for seven consecutive terms, and two more prior since 1978.
When contacted, Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan said the Pakatan Harapan component is prepared to field the party’s candidate in the seat last contested by PKR’s Iskandar Shah.
“We are ready with the most suitable candidate. A local who is well known (in the area),” the Sri Gading MP, who is also Johor Harapan deputy chairperson, told Malaysiakini.
Aminolhuda (above) said this when asked to confirm a statement from Johor Amanah deputy chairperson Zuhan Zain, who announced that the party is prepared to contest Pagoh in the “event of a vacancy” or in the next general election.
ADS“This readiness is not merely a political gesture but reflects Amanah Johor’s commitment to restoring dignity and ushering in a new political spirit in an area long perceived to be dominated by old-style politics and racial rhetoric,” Zuhan had said.
Johor Amanah deputy chairperson Zuhan ZainWhen contacted, Zuhan told Malaysiakini that all seats previously lost by Harapan will be “renegotiated” and so Amanah must declare its readiness to contest the Pagoh seat.
In past general elections, prior to Bersatu’s formation and current ties between Harapan and BN, Pagoh has traditionally been an Umno seat, last contested by former Muar MP Razali Ibrahim, who ranked third after Muhyiddin and Iskandar.
“Amanah believes the people of Pagoh now want leaders who work for the rakyat - not leaders who use the rakyat for personal political interests.
“Johor Amanah also observes that the public’s openness and acceptance of the Madani government’s policies under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim indicate a growing wave of change in Johor, including in Pagoh,” said Zuhan.
Full force
Quizzed on whether Johor Amanah is anticipating a sudden vacancy for Pagoh, Aminolhuda did not provide a direct response, and instead said, “That statement (by Zuhan) is okay, right? Give a ‘shock’ to the Pagoh seat.”
Alluding to reported discontent against Muhyiddin within Bersatu and purportedly in Pagoh, Aminolhuda added, “…his own members are also questioning him.”
Prior to its announced bid for the Pagoh seat, Johor Amanah had, up until the recently concluded party convention, strained ties with Johor BN, with a declaration that it would face off against its government ally in the next Johor election due next year.
In debating party president Mohamad Sabu’s policy speech, Aminolhuda’s son, Fadhli Umar, claimed Johor Amanah has rallied the full force of its machinery to contest “in all state seats”.
On multiple occasions since the last state election in 2022, Johor Amanah had staked claims or declared readiness to contest in the 40 seats currently held by BN. The assembly has 56 seats.
Amanah, through the party’s former deputy president, the late Salahuddin Ayub, contributed one seat to Harapan’s total of 12 - the remaining 10 were won by DAP and one by PKR.
The party later retained Salahuddin’s Simpang Jeram seat in a by-election. - Mkini

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