JOHOR BARU: Despite being prepared to contest solo in the upcoming state election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he is willing to give negotiations another chance.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, said he intends to meet Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in an attempt to avoid clashes in the upcoming state polls.
ALSO READ: BN to contest all 56 seats in Johor polls, says Onn Hafiz
“I am still hopeful. Although an announcement has been made, I still have hope.
“I will meet the Umno president, and I will say, let’s discuss things properly, what is there to fight over?
“When was there any mistake on our part? When have we not helped? I do not care (which party), I help everyone.
"So if there is competition at the grassroots level, it will lead to quarrels. So let us find a better way. What is important is the effort to help the people,” he said.
Awar said this during the Prime Minister’s meet-the-people programme at the Taman Desa Mutiara People’s Housing Project (PPR) on Sunday (May 17).
On Saturday (May 16), Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also state Barisan chairman, said Barisan would contest all 56 seats in the upcoming polls, although the election date has yet to be confirmed.
Speculation is rife that Johor could be headed for snap polls by October this year, especially following heightened political activity surrounding Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations at Istana Besar here on May 11.
However, no official announcement has been made.
The 15th Johor state election was held on March 12, 2022, where Barisan secured 40 of the 56 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won 12, Perikatan Nasional three and Muda one.
Of Barisan’s 40 seats, Umno holds 33, MCA four and MIC three.
