The Political Rift in Johor: Amanah’s Stand

In a recent development in Johor Baru, Johor Amanah has expressed disappointment over statements made by their coalition partner, Umno, regarding Amanah’s intention to contest 12 to 20 seats in the upcoming state elections. This decision, according to Johor Amanah’s deputy chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad, was reached independently after thorough discussions and analysis within the party.

Independence in Decision Making

  • Dzulkefly emphasized that their decision does not involve any other party and was made in preparation for the next state or general elections.
  • He stated that their position is clear, whether aligning with Pakatan Harapan and Umno-Barisan Nasional under the unity government or anticipating a three-way contest involving Pakatan, Barisan, and Perikatan Nasional.

Questioning Umno’s Reaction

Dzulkefly also questioned Umno’s reaction, highlighting that Amanah’s earlier statement did not specifically mention any party. He pointed out Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent statement that their alliance with Pakatan for the upcoming Johor elections remains undecided.

Historical Performance as Evidence

  • Referencing historical performance, Dzulkefly mentioned that in the 14th General Election, Pakatan formed the Johor state government with Amanah winning nine state seats.
  • However, in the 15th state election during the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakatan only secured 12 seats overall, with Amanah winning just one seat.

Call for Open Discussions

Dzulkefly urged Umno to engage in open discussions if they genuinely wanted to maintain the alliance with Pakatan. He emphasized the need for mutual consideration in decisions that affect the partnership within Johor.

Umno’s Response and Amanah’s Stance

Following Johor Amanah’s announcement of their intention to contest several state seats, Johor Umno secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman responded by likening it to a “declaration of war” to Barisan and suggested focusing on serving the people instead.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also serves as the Barisan chairman, urged Johor Amanah to prioritize public assistance over political strategy, stating that there is still ample time before the 16th General Election or the Johor state election.

Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu viewed Johor Amanah’s decision to contest state seats as a common political strategy employed by parties in the run-up to elections.

Conclusion

The political landscape in Johor is heating up as Johor Amanah takes a firm stand in their decision to contest state seats in the upcoming elections. The rift between Amanah and Umno underscores the complexities of coalition politics and the need for open dialogue to maintain alliances.

FAQ

What prompted Johor Amanah’s decision to contest state seats?

Johor Amanah’s decision to contest state seats was made independently after internal discussions and analysis within the party, aiming to prepare for the next state or general elections.

How did Umno respond to Johor Amanah’s announcement?

Umno expressed disappointment and urged Johor Amanah to prioritize public assistance over political strategy, emphasizing the need for maintaining alliances and serving the people.

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