Perikatan Nasional is set to contest all 56 seats in the upcoming Johor state election, according to Johor Bersatu chief Sahruddin Jamal.
Sahruddin, who previously served as menteri besar, stated that the state chapter of the coalition is prepared for the polls at any time. He noted that the final selection of candidates remains the prerogative of the coalition’s central leadership.
In a separate development, Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz announced that her party aims to contest between five and 10 seats in the election.
Muda expands target to rural areas
Amira, who is the assemblyman for Puteri Wangsa, explained that Muda will not limit its focus to mixed and urban seats. The party also intends to field candidates in rural constituencies to broaden its reach.
In addition to defending the Puteri Wangsa seat, Muda is targeting several other constituencies, including Larkin, Bukit Permai, Machap, and Tenang.
Muda secured the Puteri Wangsa seat during the 2022 state election through an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan. The seat has a history of changing hands, having been held by Umno from 2004 before PAS won it under the Pakatan Rakyat banner in 2013.
Pakatan Harapan later gained the seat via Bersatu in 2018, though the party subsequently left that coalition in 2020.
Leadership vacancy in Johor Perikatan Nasional
Despite the electoral preparations, Sahruddin revealed that Johor Perikatan Nasional has been without a chairman for more than three months.
This vacancy occurred after Sahruddin relinquished the state chairmanship in protest of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to step down as the national chairman of Perikatan Nasional.
The Bukit Kepong assemblyman indicated that he is still waiting for the coalition to appoint a new leader for the Johor chapter.
While Muhyiddin has reportedly submitted a candidate’s name for the position, Sahruddin confirmed that the role has not yet been filled.
