KUALA LUMPUR – Johor Umno is expected to bring forward recommendations to the state palace on whether to hold a snap election soon, following recent meetings with the party’s top brass.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the national and state party leaders have held discussions on the pros and cons of an early election in Johor, but will leave it up to the wisdom of the sultan for a decision.
It is unclear if this message has been delivered by Umno’s Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad to the state ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, or if the palace will be in favour of snap polls.
However, Zahid said the ball is now in Johor Umno’s court whether to advise the sultan and push for a snap election, but he stressed that this is not a political move.
“In Umno, we have not made any concrete decision, but we did hold discussions between the national and state leaders,” Zahid told The Vibes today.
“Any decision will be made based on the blessing and consent of His Majesty. Certainly, as a constitutional monarch, the sultan will make considerations based on the advice of the menteri besar.”
Zahid stressed that any move to dissolve the state assembly lies with the power of the palace and not with any political party, adding that Umno will respect any decision made.
“If His Majesty consents to it, then the state assembly will dissolve. Otherwise, we will carry on.”
Talks of an election in Johor have heightened following the demise of Bersatu’s Kempas assemblyman and former menteri besar Datuk Osman Sapian last month, with Umno supposedly in favour of snap polls.
Osman’s death has left the Umno-led state government with 28 seats in the state assembly, just one more than Pakatan Harapan’s 27.
Johor is not due for an election until May next year.
Nothing to do with power, infighting; it’s all about stability
State PKR chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh had said earlier this week that despite the extremely thin majority, he sees no concrete reason for BN to dissolve the assembly, especially as the opposition is committed to seeing out the current term.
He argued that Umno’s rationale for pushing for a snap election could be down to one of only two possible reasons — brewing tension among government parties or BN wanting to take advantage of the recent momentum on their side.
Zahid, however, downplayed this notion, maintaining that the calls for an early election are solely based on the issue of stability.
This (push for polls) is owing to the need to take measures to ensure political stability in the state.
“Not to mention, a new mandate from the rakyat must be obtained soon, be it through a snap election or during the general election, whichever is more convenient.”
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin similarly told The Vibes that the claims that Umno is pushing for early polls in Johor out of selfishness to consolidate its power and amid brewing tensions in the state government does not arise.
“I believe this is not even a factor. The basis for our calls is the instability and uncertainty hovering over the state.”
He also dismissed Syed Ibrahim’s remark that Umno should be gentlemanly enough to conduct the state polls concurrently with the general election, in order to allow the opposition to make better preparations.
“The gentlemanly thing to do is to return the mandate to the people,” Khaled said.
Quiet in Bersatu, but general preparations underway
While Umno is seemingly geared up to face the possibility of a looming election, the mood in Bersatu’s camp appears more laid-back.
Two Bersatu supreme council members have said that the party has yet to initiate formal discussions pertaining to a possible election in Johor, despite its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being an assemblyman there and the party’s state chief.
According to Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith, Bersatu has only begun making general preparations, but nothing tangible has been finalised.
“We haven’t had any discussions; nothing is concrete yet. There are also no upcoming meetings being called so far.
“But as a party, we need to be prepared for any possibility of an election. So yes, preparations are being done, and we must continue doing so.”
Asked why Umno appears eager to face polls, Eddin Syazlee said this could be down to several of its party leaders feeling the need to obtain an absolute mandate.
Meanwhile, Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad also claimed to be in the dark over the party’s stand and plans for Johor, saying the supreme council has yet to touch on the matter. – The Vibes, January 19, 2022
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