JOHOR is no longer an UMNO stronghold and the grand old party will likely meet its “doom” there in the southern state amid the Perikatan Nasional (PN) wave that had swept through the Peninsula following the conclusion of the six state polls on Aug 12.
According to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the “wave” can no longer be contained and this will lead to a win for the coalition in the two forthcoming by-elections, namely for the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat.
“Johor used to be an UMNO stronghold but this is no longer the case as anything can change. In other countries, even ‘kuku besi’ (oppressive) parties in West Germany and the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan can lose power, let alone in Malaysia and it’s time (for a change),” the PN election director was reported as saying by Harian Metro.
Sanusi said this after launching the Karnival Hari Penyayang Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah (YSB) at the Stadium Darul Aman in Alor Setar today (Aug 25).
Yesterday (Aug 24) UMNO Pulai division chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed brushed off the idea that the PN wave will land in Johor following the two by-elections.
Nur Jazlan also said PN will be unable to pull an upset in the Pulai parliamentary using race or religion as southern Johor voters are moderate, and that they will not be swayed by religion or race cards nor the green wave sentiment pandered by PN.
Elaborating, Sanusi said he was more well-received compared to Nur Jazlan simply for the fact that UMNO is not contesting in both the Pulai and Simpang Jeram seats.
Sanusi, who is also the PAS election director, said the Simpang Jeram state seat will serve as the entry point and launching pad for the PN wave to establish a strong presence in the state, serving as a prelude to the next general election (GE16).
“The extraordinary support for PN is evidence that the wave can no longer be contained, and everybody knows that any party collaborating with Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will lose.”
The Election Commission has fixed nomination day for both the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections for August 26 and polling for Sept 9, while early voting falls on Sept 5.
The two by-elections were called after Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was the incumbent for both seats, died on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage. He was 61.
Salahuddin was Amanah deputy president and the domestic trade and cost of living minister. – Aug 25, 2023
