Ph Bn Won T Fare Well In East Malaysia If Snap Polls Held Says Activist

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Talk of a snap general election was sparked by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin ordering his party’s machinery to prepare for potential nationwide polls at the end of this year.
PETALING JAYA: The Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional alliance could face a tough time in Sabah and Sarawak if a snap general election is called, says Sabah activist and political commentator Johan Ariffin Samad.
He attributed this to growing discontent over the federal government’s involvement in religious affairs, saying Sabahans and Sarawakians had a “firm stance” on religious freedom.
Johan, a member of the G25 group of former senior civil servants, cited the controversial Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024 as an example, saying this only intensified fears of Islamisation.
“Umno aims to reclaim the government together with PH, but their religious policies could cost them support in Sabah and Sarawak, where religious freedom is fiercely protected,” he said on an episode of TheGoodCastShow podcast.
He said many East Malaysians perceived the government’s involvement in religious matters as an overreach, and that this particularly contradicts Sabah’s pre-Malaysia 20-point agreement.
He said the first point of the 20-point agreement had to do with religion, specifically that provisions pertaining to Islam in the constitution would not apply to Sabah.
He also said religion was being weaponised for political gain, diverging from the inclusive values taught in schools.
“The constitution clearly assigns religious matters to state rulers, so why the federal interference?” he said.
Talk of a snap general election was sparked by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin ordering his party’s machinery to be mobilised in preparation for potential nationwide polls at the end of this year.
Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali said Muhyiddin issued the directive after “very encouraging developments” following a meeting among the top leadership of Bersatu and PAS on Feb 5.
Johan acknowledged that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faced the challenge of balancing the demands of Malay voters while ensuring inclusivity in view of Malaysia’s diverse population, in order to win the next general election.
However, he maintained that Malaysia belonged to all its citizens.
“Celebrating each other’s festivals, like Ramadan and Christmas, fosters unity. Nobody wants a Taliban-like government. Modern Muslims like us feel stifled, treated like children despite being capable adults,” he said. - FMT

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