JOHOR BARU: Speculation of cracks between Johor Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and Umno has been put to an end following the former’s announcement not to contest in the Mahkota by-election.
Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan said the party has decided to accept and support Umno’s candidate in the upcoming polls.
“Yes, it is final (decision not to contest). We will adhere to the unity government’s decision and make way for them (Umno) to contest.
“Amanah will also support and assist them in their campaign for the by-election,” he said when contacted.
Aminolhuda, who is also Johor Pakatan Harapan chairman, said a special meeting with Barisan Nasional about the election will be held in Johor Baru next Monday (Aug 26).
“Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be attending the meeting,” he said, noting that this will be the first meeting between the two coalitions about the by-election.
On Sunday (Aug 18), Aminolhuda reportedly declared that his party would not be contesting in the by-election.
This comes following days of back-and-forth between leaders from the two parties over the Mahkota state seat.
On Aug 5, Kluang Amanah chief Dr Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain said his party hopes to contest in the Mahkota by-election following the passing of its incumbent, Umno’s Sharifah Azizah Syed Zaid, on Aug 2.
However, on Aug 13, Ahmad Zahid said the candidate from the unity government would be from Barisan as it was customary for the party that holds the state or parliamentary seats to contest again.
Several Umno leaders have also slammed Johor Amanah and its Kluang division chief over its interest in contesting, pointing out that Umno had previously made way for Amanah to contest in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
Separately, in a statement, Aminolhuda slammed PAS over its claims that there is a lack of understanding among parties in the unity government, particularly Amanah between Umno.
“The Johor PAS leader was very quick to comment and make assumptions when Kluang Amanah chief voiced an intention for the party to contest in Mahkota.
“I would like to remind Johor PAS that Amanah is not like them. They allowed their division chief to leave the party and join Bersatu just because they could not accept a Bersatu candidate using the ‘moon’ symbol,” he said.
He also questioned PAS if they are looking into sacrificing another member in the Mahkota by-election as they did in Nenggiri.
In the recently concluded Nenggiri by-election, Perikatan Nasional has fielded Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, who was previously Gua Musang PAS youth chief.
He was alleged to have joined Bersatu a few days before being announced as Perikatan’s candidate for the by-election.
