PETALING JAYA: Parti Amanah Negara's (Amanah) Pasir Gudang Division has defended the nomination of Sharon Teo as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Permas state seat in the upcoming Johor state election, dismissing claims that she is a “parachute candidate”.
Its secretary-general, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, said Sharon’s candidacy was carefully considered by the party’s National Leadership Committee after undergoing several rounds of screening and deliberation.
He was responding to objections raised by several members of the Pasir Gudang Amanah division leadership committee during a press conference on Wednesday (June 24).
“Amanah stresses that Sharon Teo is not a parachute candidate as she has been actively involved in the party since 2018.
“She also served as Johor Amanah assistant secretary from 2021 to 2023 before being appointed Johor Amanah Young Women chief (WARDA) in 2023,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Muhammad Faiz said the party was confident in Sharon’s ability to contest the Permas seat as she is a Johor native and represents Amanah’s aspiration to provide greater opportunities for young people and women in politics.
He said the nomination also reflected the party’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders who are more inclusive and progressive.
At the same time, he urged the Pasir Gudang Amanah leadership and members to set aside their differences and focus on strengthening the party’s election machinery.
“Amanah advises the division leadership to close ranks and focus on assisting the party machinery to ensure Pakatan Harapan’s victory in Permas.
“Victory in the Johor state election is not about winning for any individual candidate, but about ensuring Amanah contributes a seat to Pakatan Harapan to enable the formation of a new government in Johor,” he said.
