Johor PN only open to forming govt with like-minded parties

MUAR: Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) has reiterated that it will not form a coalition state government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) after the state polls, saying PN will only work with like-minded parties.

State PN chief Dr Sahruddin Jamal also said the coalition wanted to wait for the results of the state election before determining its direction.

“If we work with anyone to form a coalition government, it would only involve those who share our ideology. That’s fundamental,” he told FMT.

The Johor Bersatu chief expressed confidence that PN could win the majority of the 33 seats it is contesting, citing positive reception on the ground.

“Bersatu is aiming to win at least 10 seats,” he said.

Bersatu is contesting 16 seats under PN’s banner, while PAS has fielded 11 candidates, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party five, and Pejuang one.

Speculation has swirled about a new political configuration in Johor after the July 11 polls.

While PAS and Bersatu remain PN components, they are not campaigning for each other in the state. PAS has ordered its supporters to back Barisan Nasional (BN) in seats not contested by PN, but Bersatu has left it to its supporters to decide who to vote for.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said PN still had a shot at forming the government, and that the coalition could work with allies outside PN such as Muda, which is vying for four seats.

On the other hand, BN has said it will govern Johor on its own if it wins the state election.