UMNO is not only optimistic of winning comfortably if the Johor state polls were to be held in the near future but is also confident that it can “kill off” Bersatu.
A party source from the UMNO central leadership said that UMNO really wanted the state polls to be held in the near future to get a new and stronger mandate.
According to online news portal Malaysiakini the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led Johor state government currently has the advantage of only one state seat following the demise of Kempas assemblyperson Osman Sapian on Dec 21, with BN having 16 state seats, Bersatu 11 and PAS one while the Opposition has 27 seats.
“UMNO is optimistic that we will not only be able to win comfortably but this is also the best time to weaken Bersatu,” the source was reported as saying by Malaysiakini.
“If we want to ‘kill’ Bersatu, this is the chance, then in GE15.”
On Jan 15, Bernama reported that Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad remained non-committal on the timing of the Johor state election despite speculations that it could be held after the Chinese New Year.
Brushing off the question, Hasni said that what was more important was the justification for a state election to be held.
“I think the justification for why the Johor state election should be held is more important than when it should be held,” the Johor UMNO chief was reported as saying.
“We have regulations … Like for me to advise the Sultan to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly. I cannot do it at my whims and fancies,” he told reporters. – Jan 19, 2022
Photo credit: Malaysiakini
