Johor Polls: PN Confident of Forming State Government Despite Limited Contestation

Perikatan Nasional (PN) remains optimistic about its chances of forming the Johor state government, even as it competes in just 33 of the 56 available State Legislative Assembly seats. The coalition's deputy chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, emphasized that the number of seats contested is not the only factor determining the government's formation.

"The number of seats contested is not the sole measure because the final decision ultimately rests on the people's choice," Muhyiddin stated during the candidate nomination ceremony at the Pagoh Sports Complex. He added that PN is open to alliances with other parties, including the Malaysian Democratic Alliance Party (Muda), to achieve its goal.

This optimism comes despite internal challenges within the coalition. Notably, PAS has ended its political cooperation with Bersatu, a key component of PN. Furthermore, a Johor UMNO Youth chief had previously suggested that PN lacked the intention to form the state government due to its limited contestation of seats.

To form the government in Johor, any party or coalition must secure a simple majority of at least 29 out of the 56 State Legislative Assembly seats. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has indicated the party's readiness to serve as opposition and advisor in Johor post-election. PN's lineup for this election includes Bersatu contesting 16 seats, PAS 11, Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) 5, and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) 1.

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The number of seats contested is not the sole measure because the final decision ultimately rests on the people's choice.