PETALING JAYA: PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang says the party will focus solely on campaigning for its own candidates and will not help its Perikatan Nasional ally Bersatu during the Johor state election campaign.
Sinar Harian quoted him as saying that PAS would conduct its own campaign despite both parties contesting under the Perikatan banner, adding that the coalition's logo was retained for the polls because of several factors, including pressure from certain quarters.
Asked if PAS would also campaign for Bersatu, he said: "No, no, no.
"Yes, (our campaigns are separate) because they insisted on using the (Perikatan) logo and we have not split yet.
"We do not know the Bersatu strategy," he told reporters after delivering a religious lecture at Rusila Mosque in Marang, Terengganu, on Friday (June 26).
He had been asked about the campaign strategies of the two parties ahead of the Johor election on July 11.
On PAS' relationship with Bersatu, the Marang MP said the issue had been settled and that the party stood by its earlier decision to end political cooperation.
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"What is important is that we want Johor to be governed by Malay Muslims.
"I do not want it to be controlled by liberals or non-Muslims.
"Let Muslims govern Johor," he said.
Previously, Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said PAS would contest 11 seats in the state election, down from the 15 it contested in the previous polls in 2022.
He said the decision was based on current considerations and electoral strategy.
Asked about PAS' target in the election, Hadi said the party aimed to emerge as the opposition bloc – or balancing force, as it is referred to in Johor – and serve as an adviser to the state government.
He said the decision to field candidates in only 11 seats was made after carefully assessing constituencies where the party was confident of victory, including Maharani.
"We are contesting 11 seats (and)... chose seats where we are confident of winning, God willing," he said.
