Perikatan Nasional (PN) has dismissed claims that PAS avoided contesting against DAP in the Johor state election, insisting its seat selection was based solely on the party’s chances of winning rather than fear of facing its political rival.
PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the party carefully assessed voter demographics, candidate strength and the likelihood of victory before deciding where to field candidates.
“When we contest, our objective is to win. If we have the strength to compete, there is no issue of fear.
“We are not afraid. We contest in seats where we believe we can mount a credible challenge and have a realistic chance of success,” he told reporters during a walkabout with PN’s Maharani state seat candidate, Anuar Hayan, in Bandar Maharani on Wednesday.
Also present was Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau.
Ahmad Samsuri’s remarks came after DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook claimed PAS was avoiding direct contests against DAP in the Johor polls and was instead relying on Barisan Nasional (BN) as its “proxy”.
Anthony alleged that PAS deliberately chose not to field candidates in DAP-held seats to consolidate votes for BN candidates, particularly those from MCA, arguing that contesting those seats would only split the opposition vote without benefiting PAS.
Responding to claims that PAS and BN have grown closer following a call by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for party members and supporters to back BN candidates in seats not contested by PN, Ahmad Samsuri dismissed the suggestion as mere public perception.
“We are not contesting every seat, so voters in those constituencies still need to cast their ballots. They will decide for themselves which candidate they believe is the most suitable.
“There is no confusion unless we were contesting every single seat,” he said.
Ahmad Samsuri also denied that any formal discussions or negotiations had taken place between PAS and BN during the Johor election campaign.
“There have been no discussions. We are focused on our own campaign machinery and preparations for the election,” he said.
