Mahfodz said the party would also defend the Maharani state seat in the upcoming Johor election.

“Party machinery is being strengthened early to prepare for what is expected to be a more intense political contest,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian during a Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) ceramah at the Muar PAS community centre in Parit Tarom.

The event was officiated by PAS election director Sanusi Nor, who also launched Johor PAS’s election machinery.

In the 15th general election, Muda’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman defended the Muar parliamentary seat with 19,961 votes, defeating PN and Barisan Nasional candidates by a majority of 1,345 votes.

PN’s candidate from PAS, Abdullah Husin, who contested in Muar, garnered 18,616 votes.

Meanwhile, PN’s Abdul Aziz Talib won the Maharani state seat in the 2022 Johor state election with a majority of 1,037 votes in a six-cornered contest.

Sanusi said seat allocations were still under discussion with PN’s state leadership, including the possibility of contesting all 56 state seats in Johor.

In a related development, he said several new figures, including those from NGOs and other political parties, had expressed interest in joining PN.

The PN treasurer-general said formal applications had been received and were under consideration.

“There are many prominent NGO figures and party leaders building ties with us. They have submitted applications, but these have yet to be deliberated.

“Some have applied but have not declared it publicly, so I cannot comment further for now. I will inform once there is an update.”

On the possibility of Pejuang joining PN, he indicated that discussions were ongoing but declined to confirm details.