Johor Amanah to stop discussing demand for Mahkota seat in public

Johor Amanah says it will abide by the call by party president Mohamad Sabu to stop discussing its demand to contest the Mahkota by-election in public, following a dispute with Umno over the matter.

(FMT) – Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan, who is also Johor Pakatan Harapan chairman, said the state chapter would instead focus on strengthening cooperation with its partners in the unity government by campaigning to support Barisan Nasional in the upcoming by-election in Nenggiri, as Mohamad had requested.

“We will abide by the president’s request to refrain from issuing any statements regarding the Mahkota seat to the media,” Aminolhuda told FMT.

The Election Commission will meet on Aug 13 to decide the dates for the by-election, triggered by the death of Mahkota incumbent, Kluang Wanita Umno chief Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, last Friday.

Kluang Amanah had initially asked to contest the seat, citing the party’s victory there at the 14th general election and its participation in last August’s state polls, Berita Harian reported.

Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros however criticised the demand, while Aminolhuda’s son, Amanah Youth executive council member Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda, responded by telling Azleen that the current state government is not a unity government.

Umar also said that the party was willing to enter into a three-cornered fight with Umno at the by-election to come.

Mohamad subsequently said that the issue should not be discussed through the media as it had yet to be addressed by the top leaders of the unity government.

He also urged all coalition partners in the unity government, especially Amanah, to focus on the Nenggiri by-election on Aug 17.

Sharifah won the Mahkota seat with a 5,166-vote majority over Amanah’s Taqiuddin Cheman at the 2022 Johor state election.

Kluang Umno chief Jais Sarday held the seat from 2008 to 2018, when he was defeated at the 14th general election by Amanah’s Said Jonit who claimed the seat with a 1,668-vote majority.