Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has raised concerns over the future of the Unity Government following Barisan Nasional (BN) Johor’s decision to contest independently in the upcoming Johor state election.
Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said BN Johor announced its intention to contest all 56 state seats after the Johor Legislative Assembly was dissolved on June 1.
He said developments in Negeri Sembilan had also sparked questions after 14 UMNO and BN assemblymen reportedly withdrew support for the state Menteri Besar, creating speculation over possible cooperation with opposition representatives, including PAS, to form a new state administration.
Mohamad said the situation became more apparent ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election nomination day, with BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) appearing to complement each other in the distribution of the 36 state seats being contested.
He questioned whether the cooperation formed under the Unity Government would continue or become a thing of the past.
“I support the Unity Government and Amanah has stood firmly in building this administration, but now we are at a crossroads.
“Will this Unity Government continue to be preserved, or will the opposite happen?” he said in a Facebook statement on Friday.
Mohamad recalled that after the 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022, no coalition secured enough seats to form a government on its own, resulting in the formation of the Unity Government involving former political rivals.
He admitted that he initially questioned how PH could work together with UMNO and BN due to their long political rivalry, but said changing circumstances required a new approach.
He cited several by-elections as examples of successful cooperation between PH and BN, including Pulai, Simpang Jeram, Pelangai, Kuala Kubu Baharu, Sungai Bakap, Nenggiri, Mahkota and Ayer Kuning.
Mohamad said both sides had previously worked together by campaigning for each other’s candidates despite having different political backgrounds.
He added that the cooperation demonstrated during those elections showed the strength of the Unity Government, but questioned whether the partnership would continue following BN Johor’s decision to move independently.
“Although we were once political opponents, when we became part of the Unity Government, we supported each other.
“But now, the question is whether that era will become history after Barisan Nasional Johor announced it wants to move alone,” he said.
