Pakatan Harapan (PH) says it is not concerned by PAS’ call for its supporters to vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in seats not contested by Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the upcoming Johor state election.
PH chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the coalition’s campaign would continue as planned and would not be distracted by its opponents’ political strategies or provocations.
“Our campaign machinery will continue as usual despite the call. We are not intimidated,” he told reporters after a PH ceramah in Permas Jaya on Wednesday night.
Mohamad, who is also the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said PH’s strength lies in its multiracial and multireligious cooperation, which he described as the foundation of political stability and a key driver of Malaysia’s economic development.
He urged Johor voters not to be influenced by racial or religious sentiments, but instead to choose candidates based on their capability, service record and commitment to justice.
Mohamad also called on voters to give PH the mandate in Johor to ensure alignment between the state administration and the Federal Government, saying such coordination would help accelerate the implementation of strategic projects.
He said better cooperation would facilitate initiatives such as transport transformation, improvements at international entry points and efforts to attract more investments into the state.
Meanwhile, DAP strategic director Liew Chin Tong said voter turnout, particularly among young voters, would be the deciding factor in the Johor election.
The Deputy Finance Minister noted that low voter turnout during the 2022 Johor state election had benefited BN, especially as many Johoreans working in Singapore were unable to return home due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Liew said the second phase of the campaign should focus less on political rivalry and more on policy proposals that improve people’s quality of life.
Among the priorities, he said, are creating more high-quality jobs with competitive salaries so that young Johoreans no longer need to seek employment in neighbouring Singapore.
He added that public transport, flood mitigation, drainage and river maintenance, ageing population preparedness, and childcare facilities should also be key priorities for the next state government.
Liew stressed that close cooperation between the Federal Government and the Johor administration is crucial to fast-track development initiatives, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which is expected to generate more quality employment opportunities.
A total of 172 candidates are contesting the Johor state election scheduled for 11 July, while early voting will take place on 7 July.
