JOHOR BAHRU: Barisan Nasional (BN) has welcomed PAS’s call for its members and supporters to back BN candidates in seats not contested by Perikatan Nasional (PN), while insisting there is no formal cooperation between the two coalitions in the July 11 Johor state election.
Umno Supreme Council member Nur Jazlan Mohamed said PAS’s support was driven solely by both parties sharing a common political opponent, Pakatan Harapan (PH), in the state polls.
He dismissed claims that BN and PAS had entered into any structured agreement for the election.
“We have been accused of having a formal agreement or structured relationship with PAS for this state election. But I can tell you it is simply a matter of having a common enemy.
“PAS does not like PH. For BN in Johor, we do not like PH either. At the federal level, it is something else,” he said.
PAS call seen as benefiting BN
Nur Jazlan was responding to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s call urging the party’s members and supporters to vote for BN candidates in constituencies where PN is not contesting.
BN and PH are contesting all 56 state seats, while PN has fielded candidates in only 33 constituencies.
There will be direct contests between BN and PH in 14 seats, namely Buloh Kasap, Bekok, Tangkak, Bentayan, Yong Peng, Parit Yaani, Penggaram, Machap, Mengkibol, Tanjung Surat, Benut, Pulai Sebatang, Pekan Nanas and Kukup.
Nine constituencies – Mahkota, Puteri Wangsa, Johor Jaya, Larkin, Perling, Kempas, Skudai, Bukit Batu and Senai – will see multi-cornered contests involving Parti Bersama Malaysia, Muda, Parti Sosialis Malaysia and independent candidates.
Nur Jazlan said PAS’s directive would likely benefit BN by helping the coalition regain more Malay votes.
“Because we have a common enemy, we welcome votes from PAS supporters,” said the former Pulai MP.
Focus on mixed-seat support
Nur Jazlan also said BN is hoping to gain stronger backing from Indian voters, particularly those dissatisfied with PH’s performance in the federal government.
He revealed that he had proposed fielding MIC’s B Pannir Selvam in Perling four years ago, although the constituency was eventually allocated to MCA at the time.
Pannir Selvam has now been selected as BN’s candidate for the Perling seat.
According to Nur Jazlan, the Indian community in Perling has grown over the years, making formal Indian representation increasingly important in the constituency.
Perling remains a key battleground
Based on the 2022 electoral data, Chinese voters account for 46% of Perling’s electorate, followed by Malays at 38%, Indians at 13% and other communities at 3%.
The seat has been held by DAP since the constituency was created in 2018.
