“At the state level we can adopt a different approach, but at the federal level we are still with the unity government,” said Ahmad, who is an Umno Supreme Council member.
Ahmad said Johor BN’s decision to contest the state polls on its own highlighted the ‘uniqueness of Malaysian democracy’, and took into account that Johor had long been a BN stronghold.
“This reality must be acknowledged after BN won 40 of the 56 seats in the last state polls in 2022,” he said in a Facebook post.
PH pledges cooperation
Earlier today, Pakatan Harapan had also stated that the party was committed to keeping intact the cooperation within the federal unity government, to ensure political stability and protect the interests of the people.
PH communications director Fahmi Fadzil said any differing views among component parties will be referred directly to the leadership council so that disputes are managed in an orderly manner without affecting the government.
He cited the recent political crisis in Negeri Sembilan, saying it had been handled effectively without affecting support for the existing government despite the state Umno having differences of views on several matters.
Johor BN’s decision
Fahmi’s remarks were made following Johor BN’s announcement today that it would contest all 56 state assembly seats on its own at the coming state election.
Johor BN chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the decision was made after taking into account the views and aspirations of the people of Johor, as well as feedback from Umno and BN grassroots leaders in the state.
His announcement is expected to fuel speculation over the political landscape ahead of the next Johor polls, particularly regarding potential cooperation between BN and PH, which currently work together at the federal level.
Johor PH, which won 12 seats in 2022, has since said they are prepared for three-cornered fights.
The Johor state assembly will automatically dissolve in April next year if an election is not held before then, after which the polls must be held within 60 days.