TEMERLOH: Although seen as the underdog in the mahkota by election, Pas feels the Perikatan candidate stands a chance to stage an upset because "things have changed in Johor", says Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
"The situation in Johor is no longer the same as it was during the past general and state elections," said the PAS deputy president.
"The 'wave' did not materialise back then during the Johor and Melaka state elections. The sentiment may be quite different now in Johor.
"Another factor is the young voters. During the Johor state election, the turnout of 18-year-old voters was very low," Tuan Ibrahim said on the sidelines of the 70th PAS muktamar in Kerdau on Saturday (Sept 14).
The Johor state election in 2022 was the first time 18-year-olds were eligible to vote following the successful implementation of Undi 18.
The Mahkota by-election is seeing a straight fight between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan.
Barisan is fielding Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah to defend the state seat while Perikatan has picked former Johor FA footballer Mohamad Haizan Jaafar as the challenger.
The Mahkota seat became vacant following the death of its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2.
