KOTA KINABALU – Sabah-based party Warisan is currently weighing its options on whether to make its peninsula debut during the upcoming Johor state election.
Its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said he had communicated with Muda president and fellow leader Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman following the dissolution of the Johor assembly.
“I have not decided yet. I just got the information on the Johor assembly’s likely dissolution.
“I have communicated with Syed Saddiq to see whether we need to prepare if we plan to contest,” said the Semporna MP during the Warisan Night event held here, last night.
Shafie’s Warisan had expanded its presence to the peninsula last year amid electoral cooperation with Muda led by Syed Saddiq.
During the event, the party had announced its first elected peninsula representative in Teratai assemblyman Bryan Lai.
The former DAP member was joined by Datuk Seri S. Sunther, son of former MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam, former Batu Lanchang assemblyman Datuk Danny Law Heng Kiang and former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi.
Shafie noted that Warisan also has some ground support in Johor Baru, with many East Malaysians living in Pasir Gudang and in the state’s capital city.
“We will see how all of this pans out. The date of the election has not been set and next, we still have to wait for the Election Commission to announce the polling dates.
“The time is very short, we just had the Melaka election, Sarawak election, the federal election is coming and now this.
“I do hope the general election can be done together, rather than we spend money for state elections after the other, so why don’t we just spend money for the elections one time?” he said, adding that Warisan also needs to put its house in order first before making such decisions.
Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had given his assent to dissolving the state assembly after Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohamad had an audience with the state ruler.
Hasni said there was potential for political instability in the state due to the government’s present one-seat majority, following the death of Kempas assemblyman and former Johor menteri besar Datuk Osman Sapian on December 21. – The Vibes, January 23, 2022
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