JOHOR BARU: Another Umno leader here has slammed Kluang Amanah over its remarks about the Mahkota state seat.
According to Umno Youth vice-chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, there was no need to make statements that could threaten relationships among parties in Johor.
He said political parties in Johor have been working harmoniously under the Bangsa Johor spirit, even before the formation of the unity government at the Federal level.
“I wonder why Kluang Amanah chief Dr Mohd Zuhan Mohd Zain made an open statement for no reason.
“Even Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has explained and stated the party’s position to give way to the incumbent party in the contested seats in any by-election,” he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 16).
He also told Johor and Kluang Amanah to remember how Umno supported them during the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
“It has not even been a year since the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections, during which Barisan accepted Amanah's candidates to contest these two seats, even though Barisan has long contested and placed candidates in the same seats,” he said.
“In fact, the entire Barisan machinery at that time was on the ground, helping to secure the victory of the Amanah candidates placed in both these seats,” he said.
Earlier, Johor Umno secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman had also reminded Johor Amanah about the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections.
Last Monday (Aug 5), Mohd Zuhan reportedly demanded that his party be given a chance to contest in the Mahkota state seat.
However, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said such matters should be left to the government leaders at the national level.
On Tuesday (Aug 13), Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the unity government candidate for the Mahkota state by-election in Johor would be from Barisan.
The seat became vacant when its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, from Umno, passed away on Friday (Aug 2), three days after she was hospitalised.
The Election Commission has set Sept 28 for the Mahkota state by-election in Johor.
The by-election's nomination day has been set for Sept 14, and early voting will take place on Sept 24.
