The PN election director urged Simpang Jeram voters, who will go to the polls on Sept 9, to “experiment” at the ballot box and vote for the opposition coalition.

“The wave that broke out in the recent six state elections will reach Johor and even go all the way to Singapore.

“It starts here (in Simpang Jeram) before we take over the state in another two-and-a-half years (when Johor must hold its state election),” he said, according to Berita Harian.

Johor held its last state election in March 2022, where Barisan Nasional stormed to a convincing victory by winning 40 of the 56 seats up for grabs, giving it a two-thirds majority in the state assembly.

PN fared poorly, winning just three seats, while Pakatan Harapan won 12 and Muda one.

Sanusi, who is also the Kedah menteri besar, said the Simpang Jeram by-election is crucial not only to Johoreans because a PN victory will serve as a signal to “liars”.

“This signal will start in Simpang Jeram. God-willing, the people of Johor can teach these liars to stop them from talking. I hope Simpang Jeram will receive the aura from the six states (that went to the polls on Aug 12).

“I am confident that Simpang Jeram and Pulai will be an important determinant for us to send a message to the prime minister.”

PN had claimed that its victories in the six state elections, where it swept every seat in Terengganu and nearly did the same in Kedah and Kelantan, were a signal that voters had rejected the unity government.

The coalition had claimed that it was an indirect “referendum” on the Anwar Ibrahim-led unity government.

The by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats will be held on Sept 9, following the death of the MP and assemblyman, Salahuddin Ayub, on July 23.