PAS Leaders' Statements Signal Strategic Alliance in Johor Election

Statements from top PAS leaders have become a focal point of the Johor state election campaign, signaling significant political maneuvering.

PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang declared, "What is important is that we want Johor to be ruled by our Malay people. We do not want to be dominated by liberal and non-Muslim groups. Let Muslims rule Johor." This sentiment underscores a desire to maintain Malay-Islamic political dominance in the state.

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What is important is that we want Johor to be ruled by our Malay people. We do not want to be dominated by liberal and non-Muslim groups. Let Muslims rule Johor.

Adding to the strategic messaging, Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man surprised many by calling on PAS members and supporters to vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in constituencies where Perikatan Nasional (PN) is not fielding its own candidates. PAS is contesting only 11 seats in the Johor election, with Bersatu fielding 16, leaving 23 seats where PN does not have a candidate.

When viewed together, these statements suggest a calculated political strategy. PAS appears to be prioritizing a broader objective, preventing a Pakatan Harapan (PH) victory, over narrow party competition. This could involve reviving cooperation with UMNO and BN, a move that observers believe could reshape the federal political landscape and pose a significant challenge to PH's hold on power. The intensity of PH's focus on UMNO and its leaders during the campaign appears to reflect this concern.

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PAS is contesting only 11 seats... This means PN is not fielding candidates in 23 seats.