BN seeks PAS backing in 16 Bersatu-contested seats, highlighting PN’s weakening position ahead of Johor polls.
JOHOR BAHRU: Barisan Nasional (BN) hopes to secure PAS’ support not only in constituencies where the party is not contesting, but also in the 16 state seats being contested by Bersatu candidates in the upcoming 16th Johor state election.
UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said BN appreciated PAS’ directive instructing its members and supporters to back BN in seats where PAS is not fielding candidates, although full cooperation has yet to materialise as PAS is contesting 11 state seats.
READ MORE: PH machinery unfazed by PAS directive to back BN
“We have to acknowledge that full cooperation has not yet been achieved. Nevertheless, we appreciate the directive issued to PAS members and supporters to back BN in seats where PAS is not contesting.
“Not only outside those 11 constituencies. In those 11 seats, of course, PAS supporters will back their own candidates, but I believe PAS leaders and supporters can also support BN in the 16 state seats being contested by Bersatu,” he said in an interview with Bernama today.
Ahmad said this should be considered given what he described as Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) weakening position, despite its component parties contesting under the coalition’s logo.
Commenting on claims of a covert cooperation between BN and PAS that had allegedly raised concerns within Pakatan Harapan (PH), Ahmad said the relationship between governments should be distinguished from that between political parties.
The Johor UMNO deputy liaison committee chairman said the BN-led Johor government had remained aligned with the federal government throughout its administration, and that this would continue if BN secures a mandate in the state election.
“When has the Johor state government ever been out of step with the federal government? For the past four years and three months, we have been aligned with the federal government, and we will continue to be so after this election.
“Johor has several leaders serving in the federal government, including myself, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. We serve as a bridge to the federal government, with the biggest bridge being UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi himself in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister,” he said.
Ahmad also expressed confidence that BN is on track to secure victory in the 16th Johor state election, with the coalition aiming to win more than 40 of the 56 state seats at stake.
He said his confidence was based on his observations after helping with campaign efforts in 25 of Johor’s 26 parliamentary constituencies and about 20 state constituencies so far.
On the return of several prominent figures to Rumah Bangsa, including Khairy Jamaluddin, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Tan Sri Noh Omar, who attended nomination day to show their support, Ahmad said BN greatly appreciated their presence, adding that it would provide added momentum to the coalition’s campaign efforts.
