KUALA LUMPUR – Political newcomers Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) is considering contesting in the upcoming Johor election, in what will be its first taste of the poll following its formation late last year.
PBM information chief Zakaria Abdul Hamid said the party will assess the suitability of placing its candidates in the election.
“The supreme council will decide on the matter soon, including the option of working together with the state government’s bloc, in line with our support for the administration at the federal level,” he said in a statement today.
Zakaria said PBM’s participation in the polls will allow the party space to introduce its policies and struggles through its six core agendas under the Great Reset 2030.
The agendas are multiracialism, women empowerment, youth empowerment, economic generation, education transformation and improved mastery of science technology.
His statement follows Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s consenting to dissolving the state assembly to pave way for a fresh election yesterday.
The decision was made after an audience with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad. Umno has been pushing for fresh elections in the state, citing political instability.
The Umno-led government currently has 28 seats in the state assembly, just one more than Pakatan Harapan.
Zakaria said while PBM does not agree in principle for an election amid a health pandemic and so soon after the flood disaster, it is willing to compromise for the sake of stability.
“This compromise is with the condition that there must be strict standard operating procedures similar to the ones used during the Melaka and Sarawak elections recently.
“PBM urges all parties contesting to give their full commitment in adhering to the SOPs (standard operating procedures) that will be enforced by the Election Commission,” he said. – The Vibes, January 23, 2022