PAS not contesting solo in Johor PRN, new political alignment formed

PAS Johor has announced a major strategic recalibration ahead of the 16th Johor state election, confirming that it will not contest independently but will instead participate in a newly formed electoral arrangement involving multiple smaller political parties.

Johor PAS Commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said the move follows a decision by the party’s central working committee to sever political ties with Bersatu, prompting a reassessment of alliances and seat-sharing negotiations ahead of the state polls.

He said the new alignment would involve several parties, including Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (PEJUANG), Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA), Parti Berjasa Malaysia (BERJASA) and the Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (IMAN).

“This is an electoral pact and not in the form of a political coalition because that would take time and cannot be established within the current timeframe.

“For this Johor state election, PAS Johor will use its own logo and the other parties will also use their respective logos,” BH reported him saying at a press conference after chairing the PAS Johor meeting at the party’s state headquarters.

Mahfodz said discussions on seat distribution are still ongoing and are expected to be finalised by PAS central leadership before Friday, underscoring the urgency of preparations following the abrupt breakdown in ties with Bersatu.

He added that informal discussions had also taken place with Johor Barisan Nasional, although no formal agreement had been reached.

On seat allocation, he said the final number of constituencies PAS would contest remained uncertain as negotiations were being revisited in the wake of the party’s decision to end cooperation with Bersatu.

“Previously, under the agreement with Bersatu, PAS was initially allocated 15 seats and several additional seats.

“However, after the PAS central leadership decided to end relations with Bersatu, we will renegotiate this matter,” he said, acknowledging that the latest development had affected the party’s electoral preparations.

Mahfodz, who is also Deputy Chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN) Johor, did not rule out the possibility of PAS clashing with Bersatu in the upcoming state election, signalling a potential breakdown in traditional opposition seat coordination.

The announcement follows PAS’s surprise decision to immediately terminate political cooperation with Bersatu after reviewing the status and future direction of their relationship, a move that has reshaped political calculations ahead of the Johor polls. - June 10, 2026