KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) top guns are expected to gather for an all-important meeting after the Chinese New Year festive period, as speculations of a snap election in the state remains rife.
State PKR chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the high-level meet will, among others, discuss preparations for the election and seat distribution among the coalition’s component parties.
He said while the opposition remains firm in its stance to reject an early election rumoured to be called by the Barisan Nasional (BN) state government in the coming months, it has to be ready for any eventualities.
Speaking to The Vibes, Syed Ibrahim acknowledged that Johor PH has been conducting “small meetings” in the past few weeks, with each component party also having their own internal discussions.
These meetings are to discuss matters on machinery and potential candidates. It’s an ongoing process.
“If there are any high-level Johor PH meetings, which typically convenes once every month, it will most probably be after Chinese New Year.
“Depending on any announcement by the state BN administration, our meeting could be moved forward to before the festive period. Otherwise, it will be as scheduled.”
Speculations of a snap election in Johor surfaced following the death of Bersatu’s Kempas assemblyman and former menteri besar Datuk Osman Sapian on December 21, leaving the state government with a slim one-seat majority over PH’s 27.
Of the 28 held by parties in the Johor assembly, BN has 16 while Perikatan Nasional has 12, of which 11 belong to Bersatu and 1 to PAS.
BN lynchpin Umno appears to be manoeuvring towards a snap election, citing instability, with several of the party’s top leaders hinting at possibly heading to the polls earlier than the 15th general election, due by mid-next year.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad has also not ruled out the possibility of an early election, saying the state is monitoring the situation and that the one-seat majority is something that needs to be looked into and assessed.
Syed Ibrahim, who is Ledang MP, said PH has no choice but to prepare itself, considering how the government has the upper hand in dissolving the Johor assembly.
“Whether we are ready, like it or not, we have to be prepared. The ball is in their (state government’s) court. So, we will have to discuss the possibility of facing the polls soon.”
According to Syed Ibrahim, Johor PH may also consider working with other opposition parties in the state in order to have a better chance of securing a victory, including Muda and Warisan.
This is despite no formal agreement being made by the parties at the federal level.
In terms of winning the election, we need all the help we can get and to strategise. I think it is wise and we should all be open about it.
“At the same time, we understand that we are a formal coalition, while they (Muda and Warisan) are part of this so-called PH Plus.
“So, we will have to get some sort of understanding among all Johor PH members before formalising any agreement for the polls.”
Syed Ibrahim said Johor PH is open to any kind of discussion with other parties, as long as they share the same principles and objectives. – The Vibes, January 19, 2022
