Muhyiddin confident PN has potential to form next state govt

PAGOH: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is confident that Perikatan Nasional could potentially form the next state government, despite the opposition coalition contesting in only 33 seats.

Muhyiddin said PN had allies outside the coalition, including Muda.

“So, potentially, we have the numbers to form the next state government, along with our other allies,” he told reporters after accompanying Bersatu’s Bukit Kepong candidate, Dr Sahruddin Jamal, to the nomination centre.

He was responding to Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros, who yesterday questioned PN’s commitment to forming the next state government, noting the number of seats it was contesting.

Fifty-six seats are up for grabs in the July 11 polls. PN, currently dealing with an internal crisis, needs to secure 29 seats to secure a simple-majority to form the government.

Yesterday, PN component PAS said it would settle for remaining in the opposition in Johor, with party president Abdul Hadi Awang confident the party can win all the 11 seats it is contesting.

Before its dissolution, Barisan Nasional held 40 seats in the state assembly, while Pakatan Harapan held 12, PN three, and Muda one.

Bersatu won two seats – Bukit Kepong and Endau – while PAS won only one seat – Maharani – in the 2022 state election.

Muhyiddin also said Bersatu’s decision not to defend the Endau seat was made following a review of its chances to retain it.

“Technically, our former incumbent was supposed to defend the seat, but she has defected to another party,” he said, referring to Alwiyah Talib.

“So, we needed to reassess the situation. If we field a fresh face, would they be able to win?”

Alwiyah, who recently rejoined Umno, has also been named as a candidate for BN in the polls.