PAS has directed its election machinery in Johor state constituencies where Bersatu candidates are contesting to instead focus on seats allocated to the Islamic party and other Perikatan Nasional (PN) component parties.
In a brief Facebook statement, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the instruction involves PAS division and state-level machinery that had previously been assigned to assist Bersatu-contested constituencies.
The development comes after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang stated that each PN component party would now operate its campaign machinery independently, following Bersatu’s insistence on contesting under the PN banner.
He also dismissed suggestions that the apparent political differences between PAS and Bersatu were a strategic move to strengthen PN’s performance in the election.
PAS is contesting 11 seats in the state election, while Bersatu is fielding candidates in 16 seats, both under the PN coalition banner.
Other PN component parties include the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, contesting five seats, and Pejuang, which is contesting one seat.
A total of 56 seats are being contested in the 16th state election, with 29 required to form a simple majority.
Polling day is set for July 11, while early voting will take place on July 7.
