JOHOR BARU: While PAS will not contest the Johor election on its own, the party will, however use its own logo in its campaign activities, says state PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed.
He said the party is looking to form a new political alignment with several parties now that it had severed ties with Bersatu, adding that discussions were ongoing and the arrangement would take the form of political cooperation rather than a formal coalition.
Mahfodz said the cooperation would involve Pejuang, Putra, Berjasa and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman).
“This is political cooperation and not a coalition because forming a coalition would take time and cannot be completed within the current timeframe.
“PAS will use its own logo, while the other parties will contest using their respective logos,” he told reporters after chairing a Johor PAS meeting.
Mahfodz said discussions on seat allocations for the election were still ongoing and a final decision would be made by PAS central leadership tomorrow.
On whether discussions also involved Johor Barisan Nasional, he said informal talks had taken place.
He said PAS had yet to determine the number of seats it would contest as fresh negotiations were needed following the party’s split from Bersatu.
“Previously, PAS was expected to contest 15 seats under Perikatan Nasional in Johor, with the possibility of several additional seats.
“Now that there is no longer political cooperation between the two parties, we will need to renegotiate the matter,” he said.
Mahfodz acknowledged that clashes between PAS and Bersatu in certain constituencies could not be ruled out.
Despite the political split, Mahfodz said that relations between PAS and Bersatu leaders in Johor remained cordial.
He said he had personally contacted Johor Perikatan chairman and Johor Bersatu chief Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal following the announcement by PAS central leadership.
“I accept the decision that has been made. However, we will continue our friendship,” he said.
He also said Johor PAS election machinery would continue preparations for the state election without interruption despite the changing political landscape.
